Ohio's 9th Congressional District is represented by Democrat Marcy Kaptur. Kaptur seeks her 22nd term in Congress, representing her Toledo-area district. For 10 years, it was a pretty safe Democratic district, known as the "snake on the lake." Now, it is much more compact and competitive, and Republicans think they have a shot to defeat her.
They thought they had a shot in 2022, but J.R. Majewski upset establishment candidates and won the GOP primary. Majewski was famous for painting a huge Trump 2020 sign on his lawn, which probably helped him win the Trump endorsement and the primary. However, it was then reported that he fabricated his military service, and he lost to Kaptur in the general election by 13 points.
Now, Majewski is back. He’s running against three men: former State Rep. Craig Riedel, who lost to Majewski in 2022, State Rep. Derrick Merrin, the almost speaker of the Ohio House, and former Napoleon Mayor Steve Lankenau.
Republicans were already worried that Riedel and Merrin would split the vote and Majewski would win again. Then, Majewski went on a podcast and made indelicate statements about internet commenters and the Special Olympics.
Mainstream Republicans are horrified that Majewski could still win.
Snollygoster of the week
Former House Speaker Larry Householder is about six months into his 20-year federal prison sentence for spearheading the largest bribery scandal in Ohio's history. He is appealing his conviction for accepting bribes from First Energy in exchange for aiding the passage of legislation to bail out two of its nuclear power plants.
Here are the reasons why he and his attorneys believe his conviction should be overturned: Householder's attorneys claim prosecutors never proved a quid pro quo, arguing that accepting $60 million in campaign contributions and making public policy decisions that benefit the donor of that money is not automatically a crime.
They further argue that the judge improperly played recordings of Householder using offensive language and threatening rivals, inappropriately informed jurors that his co-conspirators had pleaded guilty, dismissed a juror for refusing to get a COVID test and wear a mask, gave jurors improper instructions, improperly imposed the maximum sentence, and was biased against him, suggesting a need for recusal.
Let's say it's a comprehensive appeal, spanning 105 pages. And before you assume he has no chance, note that other public officials convicted of corruption have succeeded on comparable appeals.
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