Keep Ryan, Johnson and Joyce in Congress working for area

U.S. Congress - 13th District

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U.S. Congress - 6th District

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Despite its significant population losses over the years, the Mahoning Valley is indeed fortunate to retain three seats — and three distinct voices — in the chief lawmaking body of the nation. Once again this fall, voters in three congressional districts in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties will go to the polls to elect representatives for 2015 and 2016 to the U.S. House.

The Valley also is indeed fortunate to have a group of legislators in the 6th, 13th and 14th districts who have cultivated a strong working relationship and a largely unified voice for the principal interests of our region’s constituency. Each has professed and demonstrated a willingness to build a triumvirate of nonpartisanship in what has largely become a partisan “do-nothing” session of Congress. As the Republican dominance of Congress looks certain to continue, the largely Democratic base in the Mahoning Valley needs to ensure that its voice does not become muted, especially in the face of ongoing cuts in the federal budget.

Those general reasons explain why The Vindicator confidently endorses retention of all three incumbents: U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan, the Democrat in the 13th District race; Bill Johnson, the Republican in the 6th District race, and David Joyce, the Republican in the 14th District race.

RYAN FOR THE 13th

In his sixth term, Ryan, of Howland, has demonstrated solid leadership in his work to secure the internationally-acclaimed America Makes additive manufacturing center in downtown Youngstown. In a seventh term, Ryan can work to expand the center’s presence and impact on our economy. In addition, Ryan has not lost sight of traditional industry, working closely with other legislators to ensure foreign nations do not dump steel and other products at artificially low prices, thereby undermining stalwart manufacturers in the Valley and America.

Ryan also has the seniority to masterfully maneuver the maze of bureaucracies on Capitol Hill to bring tangible rewards to his district. He sits on arguably the most powerful committee in Congress, the House Appropriations Committee. The Valley can ill afford to lose the power of his growing seniority.

His challenger, Republican Thomas Pekarek of Cleveland, has perennially run — and lost — bids for Congress. Outsider Pekarek, however, lacks adequate details on his plans and sufficient knowledge about the Valley’s best interests to make him a candidate worthy of consideration.

JOHNSON FOR THE 6TH

Unlike voters in the 13th District, voters in the 6th District have two competent, hard-working and viable candidates to represent the district that encompasses part of Mahoning County, all of Columbiana County and all or parts of 16 other counties.

Jennifer Garrison, a longtime Ohio state legislator and the Democrat in the race, said she will work to encourage more American companies to keep their headquarters and jobs in this country and will work with local leaders on infrastructure projects. Those noble goals, however, are similar to those of her challenger, two-term incumbent Johnson.

Johnson has established a record of service and of commitment to the interests of the Mahoning Valley. Though we have stridently opposed some of his positions — most notably his steadfast opposition to the Affordable Care Act — he has proved his ability to work across the aisle by engaging in mutually important projects with Ryan.

For example, the two have worked to ensure the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna Township does not fall victim to the sharpening budget ax. Johnson’s three-decade-long military career can work favorably in their joint effort to preserve the critical missions and jobs there in the next round of base realignment cuts.

JOYCE FOR THE 14th

In the race for the 14th District seat, incumbent Republican Joyce, 57, of Russell Township, is squaring off against Democrat Michael Wager, 63, of Moreland Hills. The district includes the northern tier of Trumbull County.

Wager, a self-described Progressive, enumerates improved wages for working Americans, ensuring income equality for men and women and reproductive freedom for women among his top priorities. Such progressive platforms, however, would be dead on arrival in the next Republican-dominated Congress.

Joyce, on the other hand, has demonstrated a willingness to work with other legislators toward realistic and mutually inclusive goals, such as infrastructure improvements and protection of Lake Erie. Like Ryan, he sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee and has input over important budgetary policies. In addition, Joyce says he has worked amicably and cooperatively with Ryan in addressing initiatives to benefit the Mahoning Valley and all of Northeast Ohio.

Collectively, Ryan, Johnson and Joyce offer legislative experience and a commitment to bipartisanship in addressing the Valley’s needs.