Hudson councilman enters GOP race for U.S. House, primary opponent withdraws
Hudson City Councilman Chris Banweg on Thursday announced he will run in the March GOP primary race for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking election to Ohio's 13th District seat.
Following Banweg's announcement, Copley attorney Greg Wheeler, the other Republican who had entered the race, announced his withdrawal.
"Given that we have another Republican who is willing to take up this momentous challenge," Wheeler said, "I will step out of the way." He thanked his supporters, saying that he was proud of what his team has achieved. Because of his employment with the Ninth District Court of Appeals, Wheeler's release said he cannot endorse anyone in the race.
Akron Democrat Emilia Sykes was elected to the 13th District seat in 2022, defeating Republican Madison Gesiotto Gilbert. Wheeler finished second to Gilbert in the 2022 primary.
Banweg is an executive capacity at a Northeast Ohio medical device company and was elected to an at-large seat on Hudson City Council in 2021. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and is on track to a promotion to colonel in February.
His active duty service with the Marines includes three deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East.
“Our country seems stuck in an endless cycle of crises," Banweg said in a release announcing his candidacy. "I have always been determined to serve my country, whether with the Marine Corps during three tours of duty overseas, as a local elected leader, or as a business executive."
He noted that he has received the endorsement of U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio.
Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Chris Banweg enters race for 13th District seat in U.S. House
