Ryan focusing on manufacturing; opponent running so there's a race

YOUNGSTOWN

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan’s Republican challenger, Thomas Pekarek, said he’s running for the 13th Congressional District seat because “all people deserve a race.”

When asked if he will be competitive against Ryan, a Democrat from Howland, Pekarek of Cleveland, said: “By normal standards the way campaigns are run nowadays, not very, but I would like to be.”

If re-elected to a seventh two-year term, Ryan said he will continue to focus on promoting manufacturing and advanced technology.

He touts the successes in those fields in the district, particularly in Youngstown.

“We’re starting to shift the story about Youngstown and create a new narrative with the [Youngstown Business] Incubator, with America Makes [additive manufacturing facility], with the $440 million in software that went to Youngstown State through Siemans,” he said. “Just continuing to build that out” is my priority.

It is critical to make investments in technology, Ryan said.

“China’s pumping billions into additive manufacturing, India, some of these other countries in Europe,” he said. “They’re on the ball and they’re saying, ‘Boy, whoever gets there first is gonna have the manufacturing piece and the exporting of these products. They’re going to be the winner.’”

Read more of his remarks in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.