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Ryan’s opponent had voted for him
BOARDMAN
Marisha Agana, the Republican nominee for the 13th Congressional District, said she voted twice for her Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan.
Agana, a Howland pediatrician, said Monday that she “believed” in Ryan when he first ran for Congress in 2002.
“He had a lot of promise,” she said of her opponent.
But by voting for the health-care overhaul and cap-and-trade, Ryan has “broken” his promises, Agana said.
Wiley Runnestrand, Ryan’s campaign manager, declined to comment on Agana’s comments.
Agana spoke Monday at a press conference at the Mahoning County Republican Party headquarters about her campaign.
The new 13th District, which takes effect with the November general election, largely consists of the existing 17th District, which Ryan, of Niles, has represented since 2003.
The existing 17th already was one of the most Democratic districts in the state. State Republican officials, who drew the new 13th District, made it even more Democratic.
When asked how she could win, Agana said, “Winning for me is getting my message out. My message is I believe in America. I believe that people are tired of” partisanship in federal politics.
If people hear her message, Agana said she will “have a very good chance” of winning.
Agana is running for political office for the first time. She was born and reared in the Philippines, moving to the United States in 1987 “to pursue the dream of freedom.”
Agana said she wants to make the United States energy-independent and supports balancing the budget.