Both of the candidates running in the March 19, 2024, Democratic primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 51 — John Bazaar (D) and Joe Rinehart (D) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Bazaar:
“I’m a retired engineer and machinist, family man and an ordinary citizen who builds things. I’m equally comfortable with machining, carpentry, auto mechanics and computers including CAD/CAM/CAE. I’m not afraid to pick up a hammer, a wrench, a pickax or a pencil. Lately, I have become very concerned about the collective behavior of the Republican-dominated government of Ohio and must do my part to change it.
I and many others like me have the following core beliefs:
We Believe All people are created equal, that this is America’s fundamental ideal.
We Believe That America is a democracy, by and for the people: ruled by the Constitution and its interpretations, protected by the Bill of Rights, and inspired by the Declaration of Independence.
We Believe These founding documents demand Freedom, Justice, and Opportunity for all Americans, in full and equal measure — regardless of who you are, what you believe or where you live.
We Believe That the Duty of government is to strive endlessly to make the ideals of Freedom, Justice, and Opportunity a reality for all.
We Believe That the Purpose of government is to protect our nation, defend our democracy, and to endlessly promote the welfare of each and every one of us.
We Believe That fighting for these ideals is our purpose as a political party.”
Rinehart:
“I became a United States Marine as a young man. I was the youngest Marine to participate in the evacuation of Saigon and served as a Guard for the Supreme Judge of Saigon and his family for about six months and I am proud that the most important action I took as a Marine SAVED lives rather than taking lives.
After completing my enlistment in the Marines, I attended Kent State University in the veterans’ educational GI-Bill program. I served as President of the Kent State Vietnam Veterans Association and worked with Senator John Glenn to improve benefits for my fellow veterans.
I took an oath as a Marine to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. That’s why I am a candidate now because our Constitution is under attack.
Folks who never served our country are attacking our right to vote. Some are trying to overthrow our elections. Some are trying to rig our elections with unconstitutional districts. Some have taken money from First Energy to let First Energy charge us more for our electric service. Some have taken money from companies to let them drill our park lands to make themselves billions in profits from our oil and gas and pay the lowest company taxes in the country to drill that oil and gas.
I started an Internet service company that never made me rich but provided me with an income for many years until I sold it for enough to buy my parents’ property in Bolivar, where I now live.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
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