Air Force vet wants to flip longtime Ohio Democratic seat |
Air Force vet wants to flip longtime Ohio Democratic seat
ATLANTA – Republican Air Force veteran Alea Nadeem says her childhood kidnapping is one of the defining experiences motivating her to challenge the longest-serving woman in congressional history, Ohio Democrat Marcy Kaptur. Rep. Kaptur has held Ohio’s 9th Congressional District since 1983. She won her 22nd term in 2024.
The district, which includes the Toledo and Cleveland areas, has historically leaned Democratic. Historically, it’s seen strong union support and been home to manufacturing jobs. This election cycle, however, it is more competitive. In recent years, there’s been economic concerns and shifting voter priorities that have reshaped the political landscape in northern Ohio.
Kaptur won reelection in 2024 by less than 1 percentage point. In October, political forecaster Sabato’s Crystal Ball changed the district’s rating from “toss up” to “leans Republican.” The Cook Political Report rates it as a “toss up.”
“It’s time for a new generation,” Nadeem said.
Nadeem told “Raising America” the story of her childhood trip to Iraq, where her father kept her captive and she lived for four years before her mother was able to rescue her with assistance from U.S. authorities.
“I appreciate this country. I have lived without freedom. Things that were done to me were awful because I was just simply a woman and a girl. I could be an ISIS bride. I could be killed. I could have been bartered off,” she said.
“I was literally scheduled to get married once I started my menstrual cycle. But here I am today, talking to you,” she continued. “I’ve served in the military and running for Congress because I’m in this country, because I’m behind this flag.”
Nadeem served in the U.S. Air Force following the 9/11 attacks and planned to continue her military career. She says she decided to run for office after seeing conditions in her district were stagnant.
Her military service, she says, helped shape her views on leadership and national security, as well as her perspective on the opportunities available in the United States compared to other parts of the world. After leaving the service, she transitioned into civilian life with a focus on public service and advocacy, which ultimately led to her decision to enter politics.
“What I’m hearing is there’s some Republicans who are who are going, ‘OK, I voted for the president. I’m a conservative. What is going on with this war? Why are we in this war? And why are my gas prices high?’” she said. “These are kitchen table issues. People will vote based on gas prices, eggs, like, that’s what people vote on.”
The race is expected to draw national attention as Republicans try to maintain a majority in the House. Outside groups are likely to invest heavily, given the district’s potential to help determine control of the House. On the heels of the possible shift in Virginia’s congressional districts after Democrats succeeded in their redistricting push during last week’s election, the district contest could take on added importance.
The primary election is May 5, and Nadeem faces four GOP challengers.
One of the issues Nadeem feels strongly about is aging lawmakers and the need to have term limits.
Kaptur’s tenure, she said: “I mean, that’s like a poster child for term limits. This is what’s bizarre to me, this district was won by President Trump by 7 percent. And the same people who voted for President Trump voted for the Democrat,” said Nadeem.
Kaptur has always been vocal about her support for domestic manufacturing and trade protections. In the past, she has pointed to federal investments and legislation aimed at revitalizing industrial regions. Supporters argue those efforts have helped stabilize parts of the district’s economy, even as broader global trends have led to job losses over time.
Nadeem argues the jobs are disappearing. According to Nadeem’s campaign, Ohio had more than 1.1 million manufacturing jobs when Kaptur first took office in the early 1980s. Federal labor numbers show a decline over the decades, though the exact figure varies. Recent estimates place Ohio manufacturing employment at less than 700,000 jobs.
“Raising America” is a NewsNation podcast hosted by Elizabeth Prann.
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