J.R. Majewski, the Republican nominee who unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in 2022, is getting back in the race for the Republican nomination for the 9th District.
Mr. Majewski dropped out of the race in May, citing the health of his mother, who needed open heart surgery. Her recovery has gone extremely well, allowing him to return to the campaign trail, he said.
The campaign officially re-launches on Sunday, Mr. Majewski said.
“What better month to announce a return to the race than Polish-American Heritage month,” he said.
Backed by the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, the Port Clinton resident with ties to the nuclear power industry won the 2022 primary election over two Ohio lawmakers — Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R., Bowling Green) and then Rep. Craig Riedel (R., Defiance).
He attended Mr. Trump’s Michigan event Wednesday as a guest of the former president.
Currently running to challenge Ms. Kaptur are Defiance Republican and former three-term state representative Mr. Riedel and Steve Lankenau, a real estate broker who resides in Defiance.
Mr. Majewski was in a competitive race with Ms. Kaptur (D., Toledo) when his military record was called into question. He lost to Ms. Kaptur by a vote of 56 to 43 percent.
In August, the Air Force added the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal to his record.
He said the Air Force issued a corrected discharge form with the medal, and he posted an image of the form to his social media accounts.
His role was to load planes from the base in Qatar, where he was deployed for six months, and deliver the cargo to various locations in the Middle East, including Afghanistan, he said.
During the Persian Gulf War, then-President George H.W. Bush designated, for the first time, countries used as combat support areas as combat zones despite the low risk of American service members ever facing hostilities. That helped veterans receive a favorable tax status.
“It’s blatantly obvious that we were on a path to beat Marcy without the lie that was cast against me. I am very, very confident that we were going to win.” Mr. Majewski said. “It wasn’t going to be a huge victory, but it was going to be a win.”
Mr. Majewski said U.S. energy policy is going to be one of the key aspects of his campaign.
“I would bring a very unique perspective to that arena,” said Mr. Majewski, who has experience in the nuclear power industry. “Energy, right now, is one of the most fundamental issues in the United States.”
Mr. Lankenau said he welcomed Mr. Majewski back to the race.
“Last year, with another dishonest campaign, Marcy Kaptur smeared J.R. Majewski with many claims that proved false about his military service. Now that the record has been set straight, J.R. has a right to fully reclaim his name,” Mr. Lankenau said. “I look forward to a substantive and spirited primary focused on the many issues facing northwest Ohioans.”
Mr. Reidel, in a statement Saturday, said he is the best candidate to defeat Ms. Kaptur.
“We’ve raised over $740,000, have visited every county dozens of times meeting and listening to voters, and are endorsed by Ohio Congressmen Jim Jordan, Max Miller, 9 additional national conservative members of congress, and endorsed by 32 of state and local conservative leaders like State Senators Rob McColley and Bill Reineke,” the statement said. “With substantial and growing financial resources and strong grassroots support, our campaign is well-positioned for victory in the upcoming primary and general elections.”
Ms. Kaptur’s campaign released a statement Saturday.
“Marcy is working to avoid a government shutdown being brought on by extremists. We'll let the local GOP deal with the extremism being played out in its March Primary,” the statement said.
First Published September 30, 2023, 11:48 a.m.
