Columbus — Businessman Dave Taylor defeated 10 Republicans in a heated primary for southern Ohio's 2nd Congressional District seat, and State Sen. Michael Rulli won Eastern Ohio's 6th Congressional District Republican primary.
Taylor will run against Democrat Samantha Meadows in November to replace retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup. Michael Kripchak, the Democratic primary winner, will oppose Rulli.
The 2nd District covers Cincinnati's eastern suburbs to West Virginia. East Palestine, the village affected by last year's hazardous train catastrophe, is in the 6th District. Both districts are red. The 2nd Congressional District race was Ohio's most expensive this election. Though numerous candidates raised over $1 million, Taylor raised the most at $1.7 million.
Taylor went from local prosecutor to running his family's concrete company, Sardinia Ready Mix, Inc. His conservative agenda includes defending the southern border, opposing abortion, and supporting gun rights and former President Donald Trump.
Constituents in the 6th District voted twice in Tuesday's primary: first for a nominee to run in a June special election to finish Johnson's term, and then in the November regular election to start a new term in January 2025. Rulli won both nominations.
Johnson left before his tenure expired to become Youngstown State University president Jan. 21, forcing Gov. Mike DeWine to schedule a summer special election to replace the position until the 2025 congressional term. East Palestine, a small town on the Ohio River in eastern Pennsylvania, is the district's center. A tragic train catastrophe occurred a year ago.
The community, west of Pennsylvania, says it is still experiencing the effects of an intended poisonous chemical leak to prevent the wrecked train cars from exploding. Rulli defeated Stark County state Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus and East Palestine chiropractor Rick Tsai for the GOP nomination.
The Mahoning County native and Columbiana County inhabitant is a state senator since 2019. He directs operations for Rulli Bros. Market, his grandfather and great-uncle's 100-year-old supermarket store. In a phone interview, Rulli said he's grateful for his win and excited to advocate for the area, especially its blue-collar workers.
Rulli supported gun rights, border security, and abortion bans. The NRA and Ohio Right to Life, an anti-abortion group, have endorsed him. He also supports Ohio oil and gas production over imports.
Rulli said in a phone interview that East Palestine needs more work to make the hamlet safe and address community concerns. Several East Palestine authorities supported her run. The National Republican Congressional Committee praised Rulli Tuesday night via email.
Michael has a conservative record of state legislature success. With Michael on the ballot, we hope to keep this area a Republican stronghold and welcome him to Congress with a strong Republican majority, said committee spokesperson Mike Marinella in an email.
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