TOLEDO – Ohio Republican state Rep. Derek Melin, who is running for Congress against vulnerable Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur, is worried that Kaptur's decision will be made in 2024 due to issues affecting northwest Ohio residents. He spoke to FOX News Digital about why his 41-year tenure in Congress is in jeopardy.
“Northwest Ohio has been marginalized for many years by Mercy Capture, and Mercy Capture's values do not represent Northwest Ohio,” Melin told FOX News Digital at the Lucas County Republican Party headquarters. He talked about why he decided to participate in the election campaign to unseat his long-held seat. Democratic Party member.
“I felt like there was a real chance to win this race. There was a real chance for change. I felt like the future of this country was at stake and the liberal policies of Democrat Joe Biden and Mercy Capture. I truly believe that we must stop “Save our country.'' ”
Kaptur is currently serving his 21st term representing Ohio's 9th Congressional District and is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the House. The Cook Political Report ranks her race as a “lean Democrat,” but with redistricting after the 2020 Census, Republicans have a prime opportunity to secure control of the House. Yes, I believe we can flip the seat.
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Republican Derek Melin is running against a Democrat. Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio's 9th Congressional District (Getty Images)
Melin told Fox News Digital that he expects a significant number of independents and some Democrats to support his candidacy, pointing to “inefficiency” in Congress and unpopular Democratic policies. said.
“The majority of Americans are tired of the Democratic Party, but guess what?” Melin said. “Not everyone is a Republican. People want policy. They want a lower cost of living. They want secure borders and they're fed up with the political class. I'm going to get Democratic votes. I'm going to pick it up.'' I'm getting a lot of votes from independents because my message and policies align with what they want. ”
“They want to pay less at the pump, they want their health insurance to be lower, they want to lower their housing costs, they want their insurance costs to be lower, they want to be able to take their families out to eat. For less than $100, I will work on policies that will get this country moving again, bring back American jobs, lower the cost of living, and protect our borders.”
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Rep. Marcy Capture (D-Ohio) speaks at the VFW Post 2529 Annual Corn Roast in Sandusky, Ohio. (Bill Clark)
Kaptur is one of eight Democrats running in 2024 in districts that voted for Trump in 2020. Trump won Ohio by 8 points in 2020 and is expected to match or beat that in 2024.
“This is a new neighborhood,” Merrin said. “This is a Republican-leaning district, and Mercy Capture's values are exposed by what she actually did in Washington, D.C. She believes that no one should be allowed to drive a gasoline-powered vehicle. She basically believes that everyone needs to pay more taxes.'' She prioritizes illegal immigrants over American citizens, and when people learn of her accomplishments and failures, she is has become one of the most incompetent MPs in the country, and they are in a worse situation than they were four years ago. I think they're looking for a new change, so I'm going to provide that. ”
Melin told Fox News Digital that as he travels around the district and speaks to voters, it's clear that the economy and inflation are top concerns.
“The cost of living, you can't take a family of four to a restaurant in northwest Ohio for less than $100, and people can't afford that,” Melin said. “Look at car insurance, home insurance, the overall cost of living. This is taking a toll on people, and people are very uncertain about what situation we're in, and looking at insurance to bring costs down. People want their children to experience the American dream that they had, and I think that's in jeopardy right now. ”
A pro-Mellin ad running on television in northwest Ohio highlights Mr. Capture's record of voting for the Biden administration 90% of the time, and that Mr. Capture has only passed five bills in 41 years. He also faces criticism from Melin for not filing. She pushed back on citing hundreds of bills she co-sponsored.
Melin told Fox News Digital that if voters in his district support term limits, “yes, that's right.” “The people want term limits for members of Congress. I support term limits. I signed a pledge to support legislation that would limit members of Congress to three terms. This is a win that resonates with voters. I think that's the message.”
Melin also attacked Captur on illegal immigration, saying Ohioans are “sick and tired” of the fallout from the millions of illegal immigrants who have entered the state over the past four years.
Ohio Rep. Derek Mellin speaks with reporters on February 15, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Republicans are eyeing two high-profile federal elections in Ohio on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, that could impact their chances in key elections this fall. (AP Photo/Samantha Hendrickson)
“Crime has skyrocketed in our community, and a large portion of that is due to illegal immigration,” Merrin said. “So we have tens of thousands of people here in northwest Ohio illegally, and we're just sick and tired of it.”
“We want to put the American people first. They are straining our health care system, our education system, our criminal justice system. And we want the federal government to secure our borders and keep Americans safe. It's no exaggeration to say that we need to ensure Citizens First and Mercy Capture, that she's allowing illegal immigrants into the country and that she's putting a knife in the backs of union members. She is not a supporter of centrist workers. She is doing everything she can to undermine the traditional values of our country's working class.”
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Melin, who fielded calls from more than 20 supporters at Lucas County Republican Party headquarters on Saturday, told Fox News Digital that he was encouraged by the enthusiasm of Republicans in his district to vote early and that he He said there was “additional enthusiasm” on his part. than capture.
“Republicans are motivated,” Melin said. “And people who are fed up with Mercy Capture and Democratic policies are on fire. We've gained a lot of momentum. Listen, they're now pouring millions of dollars into me and beating me up. Because I know they're going to beat me and try to hold me back.'' We're very close to winning this race. ”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Capture campaign called Melin a “puppet” politician and noted Mellin's past support for convicted politician Larry Householder. .
“Unlike Rep. Capture, who has stood up to his own party and worked across the aisle for working families, Derek Mellin has done things like vote for hikes to line the pockets of his corporate masters. He's a spineless puppet politician who sells out working Ohioans. He lowered power bills for Ohio homes because he accepted campaign contributions from a currently incarcerated politician whom Melin voted to continue after his indictment. ” said the campaign, which is running ads with similar messages.
Over the weekend, Melin's campaign responded to the ads, calling them “a desperate and pathetic attempt to distract voters from Mercy Capture's failed policies.”
