Meet Allison Russo, Democratic candidate
Voters in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District will decide this November who they want to work for them in Washington after months without a representative.
Republican Mike Carey and Democratic state Rep. Allison Russo will vie for the seat in the Nov. 2 special election after securing their parties’ nomination in August. The winner will replace former GOP Rep. Steve Stivers, who left Congress in May to run the Ohio Chamber
of Commerce.
The 15th includes Clinton, Fairfield, Hocking, Madison, Morgan, Perry, Pickaway and Vinton counties, as well as portions of Athens, Fayette, Franklin and Ross counties.
The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau asked both candidates to complete questionnaires.
Here’s how Russo responded.
About Russo
“I’m a state representative who was raised in a small, working-class town by a single mom. I got to work on day one as an independent voice in the statehouse for my constituents, and I will always fight for working families. I was a military spouse and am a public health professional focused on helping veterans, families and seniors get access to affordable and quality health care.”
Talking infrastructure, Afghanistan and more
Why should voters elect you?
“I’ve been an independent voice in the Statehouse for my constituents – taking on corruption, fighting for children and families, and pushing to lower the cost of healthcare. In Congress, I’ll keep fighting for working families, and I will work with either party if they have good ideas to create good jobs in Ohio. Voters should elect me because Ohioans in this district deserve someone in Congress who is willing to stand up to the special-interest politicians and lobbyists who run Washington.”
Do you support the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the $3.5 trillion spending package?
“I am proud that Democrats and Republicans have put aside their differences to work in good faith on the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will bring to Ohio critical investments in good-paying jobs, road and bridge repairs, broadband expansion, improved water quality, public transit and rebuilding schools. Now, both parties in Congress need to come together again to negotiate and find consensus on this separate spending package. My sole criteria for supporting a final budget resolution bill will be if it’s a deal that puts Ohioans first.”
Do you support how President Biden ended the war in Afghanistan? What steps should the U.S. take now that troops are out of the country to address humanitarian and security concerns?
“While I believe withdrawing from Afghanistan was the right decision, the messy process of withdrawal was extremely difficult to watch and deserves some criticism. It is fair to call for a comprehensive review of our 20-year policy in the region and how we got to the final days of a chaotic withdrawal that allowed the Taliban to quickly seize Kabul and other key cities.
The path forward for the U.S. diplomatic relations and security in the region is complex, but one thing is clear: We cannot leave behind the thousands of at-risk Afghans and partners who aided us and still are in danger. For the sake of the 2,461 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan, our veterans and military families who sacrificed so much during the United States’ longest-running war, and the Afghan people, it is critical that we do not let this issue turn into another unproductive partisan battle.”
The 15th is seen as a Republican district. Why do you feel it’s important to run despite that challenge, and what’s your message to voters in the district who may be skeptical of your party affiliation/platform?
“I’m no stranger to winning really tough districts because I take the time to listen to Ohioans about what’s important to them, campaign on issues that will help working families and advocate for good ideas no matter which party they came from. Other good Democrats have won OH-15 before: Both Sen. Sherrod Brown and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner carried this district in the last two election cycles.
Unlike my opponent who has a long history of working for special interests and cutting backroom political deals that hurt workers, I’m an independent voice who’s showing up in communities throughout the district and have a strong track record of putting people first. Folks in this district deserve a member of Congress like me who will show up for them, work hard and make thoughtful decisions on the issues that impact their families, businesses and communities.”
Haley Bemiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.