LIMA — Fourth Congressional District contestants Janet Garrett and Jim Jordan highlighted a slate of candidates Monday at a Meet the Candidates night held at the City Club.
Each candidate was given five minutes to talk about themselves and why they were running for office. Garrett, who has not been afraid to voice her criticism of incumbent Jordan, did not disappoint those who were looking for more of the same.
“I never thought about running for political office until I met Jim Jordan,” Garrett said. “I found him to be inspiring. He inspired me to get him out.”
Garrett went on to speak about spending the last two days canvasing Lima. She said she found it shocking that “we” are not taking better care of our people. She said the two biggest issues facing the federal government were income equality and climate change.
Climate change is coming like a freight train if you believe it or not,” Garrett said.
Garrett also challenged Jordan’s membership in the Freedom Caucus and challenged him on their actions, including what she said was “an attempt to force out Paul Ryan.”
Jordan countered that his efforts with the Freedom Caucus are an effort to re-establish reasonable health care costs and what he called a double standard for people who are politically connected and regular folks in the population. He singled out Hillary Clinton’s lack of being convicted as an example.
“There is a double standard,” Jordan said. “How does someone’s husband get to meet with the attorney general days before the Justice Department’s decision was released not to prosecute Hillary [Clinton]. Five people get immunity and one who is subpoenaed refused to show up. We need to have one standard for every citizen. That is what this country is about.”
Jordan also spoke about a recent town forum he attended in Anna where a man told him about his out-of-control health care costs.
“There are a countless number of people that feel they are forgotten,” Jordan said.
Ohio Senate candidate Matt Huffman, who is running unopposed, said it was important for people to get out and vote.
“When I here someone say I don’t want to vote because I don’t like any of the candidates, those are the kind of people you don’t want to be around,” Huffman said.
Other candidates who spoke included Bob Cupp, unopposed for state representative, unopposed Allen County Commissioner Jay Begg, and unopposed candidates Allen County Clerk of Courts Margie Murphy Miller, Allen County Engineer Brion Rhodes and Allen County Treasurer Rachel Gilroy. Also speaking were William Zimmerman, a candidate for the 3rd District Court of Appeals, who is running against Randall Basinger, and state board of education candidates Tanyce Addison, Linda Haycock and Martha Manchester. A fourth school board candidate, Lilli Vitale, was not present.
All three school board candidates feature a wealth of experience with public education and are for less state testing requirements.
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