Four Democrats seek chance to contest Ohio's 5th Congressional district

Daniel Burket Age: 31 Party: Democratic Education: Some college, studied political science and finance Job history: Restaurant owner since 2017; president of Hancock County's Developmental Disabilities Board (joined board in 2020, became president in 2024) Family: Married with a 2-year-old son; owner of one dog and two cats. Website: http://burketforcongress.com/ Martin Heberling Age: 49 Party: Democratic Education: Master's degree in educational leadership Job history: Lorain Schools teacher; former Amherst city councilman-at-large Family: Wife, Kyle; son, Jacob Website: http://www.heberlingforohio.com/ Brian Shaver Age: 48 Party: Democratic Education: Bachelor's degree in history and secondary education, minor in sociology, Bluffton University; master's degree in educational leadership, Bowling Green State University Job history: President of Fostoria City Council with 13 years on Council; social studies teacher at Fostoria Junior/Senior High School; head of Fostoria Education Association Family: Wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Genevieve Website: http://www.brianshaverforcongress.com/ Scott Tabor Age: 64 Party: Democratic Education: General college education through Lorain County Community College and Ohio University; apprenticeship and trade training through Local 33 Sheet Metal Workers International Job history: Union sheet metal worker, Local 33 Sheet Metal Workers International; roles including steward, foreman and safety controller Family: Married; three children, seven grandchildren Website: https://setandready.org/ Four Democrats are vying for the chance to run in the general election to represent Ohio's 5th Congressional district. Two of the candidates reside in Lorain County, while the other two hail from the far western end of the district, which spans from the eastern edge of the Lorain County across northwestern Ohio all the way to the Indiana border. The candidates are Daniel Burkett of Findlay, Martin Heberling of Amherst, Brian Shaver of Fostoria and Scott Tabor of Columbia Township. The winner of the primary will face Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, who has represented the district in Congress since 2007. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Burket: First would be my work ethic, visibility and dedication. My decision to run wasn't last minute, and I have been out since June of last year talking with voters to not only get a feel for what our district needs, but to also build a connection with voters. Furthermore, my background as a business owner and board president has provided me with extensive experience in policy implementation and financial management, which are the two main jobs of Congress. This combination of community presence, policy implementation and fiscal expertise is what I believe makes me the best. Heberling: As a teacher, former Councilman and labor leader, I don't just study the challenges facing Ohio's 5th District, I am actually living them. While Washington focuses on partisan theater, our families are struggling with rising costs and underfunded schools. My career has been defined by economic dignity. Economic dignity is ensuring that a hard day's work results in a fair day's pay and a secure future. I offer a perspective that career politicians lack. I am ready to move past the status quo to deliver the infrastructure, healthcare and educational funding our communities deserve. Shaver: I believe representatives must put people before party and stay present and accountable to their communities. Throughout my work as a civil servant and union leader, I have built a strong record of accountability and pushing for practical solutions. If elected to Congress, I seek to restore the meaning of "We the People" in our federal government. I advocate for reforms such as campaign finance limits, term limits, stronger checks and balances, transparency in legislation and clear guardrails to prevent elected officials from profiting from their positions. Tabor: I bring judgment and wisdom shaped by real life, not politics. I know when something is wrong, and I have no problem calling it out. I will defend the Constitution, hold government accountable and stay directly engaged with the people I represent — not hide behind staff or scripted responses. This position requires backbone, discipline and the ability to make hard decisions. That's exactly what I bring. What is the biggest problem facing the district and how would you address it? Burket: Affordability, hands down, as so many people have mentioned their frustration with the rising cost of their grocery bill, increased gas prices due to an unnecessary war, farmers seeing higher input costs in planting season and ever-increasing utility bills. The immediate removal of unnecessary Trump tariffs, the number one driver of cost increases across the country, will be my priority so that immediate relief can be obtained. Within that affordability umbrella of issues also lies healthcare. I will also fight for the implementation of Universal Healthcare, creating immediate financial relief and immediate accessibility to healthcare. Heberling: The biggest challenge is the erosion of economic dignity for working families. From rising healthcare costs to a crumbling infrastructure, our district is being squeezed by an administration that ignores the front porch. I will address this by fighting for a medical debt relief act to stop health crises from causing bankruptcies, and by securing federal railroad crossing elimination grants to restore local mobility. By prioritizing high-paying manufacturing jobs and fully funding our public schools, we ensure that a hard day's work in Ohio once again leads to a secure future. Shaver: The affordability crisis has only been made worse by the illegal war with Iran that has put an undue burden on taxpayers in numerous ways — at the gas pump, at the grocery store and at work. OH-5 relies heavily on manufacturing and agriculture for employment. When nonsensical trade wars, tariffs and supply chain disruptions occur, our very way of life is threatened. Diesel is now more than $5/gallon and fertilizer prices are up more than 30 percent. Consumers will begin to feel this pinch quite soon, if they have not already, and farmers already are — right at the peak of planting season. Tabor: The biggest challenge facing this district is Robert Latta and a political legacy that has held power for decades — his father serving 30 years and Robert Latta another 16 — while too many working-class families see little change. That kind of long-term control weakens accountability and disconnects leadership from every day realities. I will challenge that directly by showing up, speaking plainly and making decisions based on what's right — not what protects a position. This district deserves active, accountable representation — not a seat held on autopilot.