10-08-2024 12:04am

Meet The Candidates Running for Ohio's 1st Congressional District

Beth Callahan Editor

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- Along with voting for which Presidential Candidate they want to represent them in Washington DC, Warren County residents will be choosing who they want to represent them in Washington DC as their Congressman in the House of Representatives. In the race for this position are: Incumbent Greg Landsman (D) and challenger Orlando Sonza (R).

To help Warren County voters get to know who these men a little better, the WarrenCountyPost.com asked them a few questions. The questions and answers are below and both did give a video interview to the WarrenCountyPost.com, which you can also watch.

PLEASE TELL THE VOTERS WHY YOU DECIDED TO RUN FOR OFFICE

GREG LANDSMAN (D):

I’m running for office because I love our communities, and I know how to get things done. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on people and have been a reliable, effective and bipartisan leader. I take a common-sense, normal approach to public service at a time when folks are exhausted by the chaos and extremism of others.

ORLANDO SONZA (R):

The first district of Ohio, and our country as a whole, is going in the wrong direction under the leadership of the Biden/Harris administration and Greg Landsman here in southwest Ohio. Everyday Americans and constituents in OH-01 are feeling the effects of this poor leadership through inflated prices on everyday items like gas, groceries, as well as unchecked illegal immigration and the flow of drugs into our community, and a lack of integrity in our elected officials. When elected to Congress, I will fight to end inflation, secure the border, and empower our law enforcement to protect our communities.

SHARE ANY QUALIFICATION(S) OR EXPERIENCE(S) YOU HAVE OR HAVE HAD THAT YOU BELIEVE WILL HELP YOU SERVE IN THIS OFFICE .

GREG LANDSMAN (D):

I have a long-standing record of getting things done for families in Southwest Ohio. I’m a former teacher, and I spent my career doing child advocacy work. In 2016, I led the successful passage of the Cincinnati Preschool Promise, which made Cincinnati the only city in the country to provide two years of quality preschool to its three and four-year-olds.

In 2017, I was elected to Cincinnati City Council, where I led the budget and worked with Democrats and Republicans to pass the largest investment in repairing Hamilton County roads and bridges. I also led the charge to fund a second class of police recruits for the first time in Cincinnati history and increased the police budget by $20 million dollars over my 5 years at City Hall.

Since my election to Congress in 2022, I’ve worked hard to be a pragmatic, bipartisan, leader who shows up here at home. In my first 20 months in Congress, I’ve held over 20 town halls across the district, and I returned over $15 million in the federal budget for community projects in Southwest Ohio. I’ve introduced 5 bipartisan bills, including bills to lower prescription drugs prices and improve college affordability. I’m proud to be endorsed by teachers, police, fire, and workers, because folks know that I’ll work with anyone to make life easier for those in Warren County.

ORLANDO SONZA (R):

As a West Point grad and Army veteran, former prosecutor, lawyer, CPA, and most importantly, a father of 4 children under 10 along with my wife Jessica, I understand the ins and outs of how the current system of government is failing so many Americans. I believe my background as a prosecutor, CPA, and Army veteran will give me the insight that is so lacking in Congress today to actually improve the lives of those that I would serve and represent.

According to the Warren County Board of Elections, out of the 175,086 voters, 70% of the registered voters are labeled as No Party. (24% are Republican and 6% are Democrat.) If elected, would you be more inclined to vote your party line or vote for what you believe the people in Warren County desire?

GREG LANDSMAN (D):

I’m proud to have been rated one of the most independent members of Congress this year. Folks know that I’m one of the normal, common-sense leaders that wants to get things done in a bipartisan way. I’m part of the bipartisan Problem-Solvers Caucus, have already passed several bipartisan bills out of committee, and I’ve been a key vote on critical bipartisan bills to avoid default and provide relief for families and small businesses.

I don’t take corporate PAC money because I want you to know that I work for folks here at home, not for the wealthy and powerful, and not for a political party.

ORLANDO SONZA (R):

As an elected official, it is important to have the prudence and careful consideration of the needs of your constituency. My first priority will always be to the constituents of OH-01, in both Warren and Hamilton counties.