In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Alea Nadeem, an Air Force veteran and Ohio native, has announced her intention to challenge long-serving Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur for Ohio's 9th Congressional District.
Nadeem, who has a compelling personal history of being kidnapped by her father and taken to Iraq, living under Saddam Hussein's rule before being rescued by the U.S. government, expressed her deep gratitude to the country that saved her. "This country saved me, I owe my life to this country," Nadeem shared.
According to Fox News, Nadeem's decision to enter the political arena was not a premeditated one. Her military career was a response to the 9/11 events, and she had no initial intention of leaving the nonpartisan military world for politics. However, her time on Capitol Hill in recent years opened her eyes to the stagnation in her district. "I got to see firsthand all the things that were happening, and I've got to tell you, my hometown where I grew up was not better off," Nadeem said. She expressed her disappointment with the current representative, Marcy Kaptur, who she believes has not been voting in a way that benefits the blue-collar families of her district.
Kaptur, who managed to secure re-election in 2024 by a slim margin of less than 1 percentage point, is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the House. Her district is set to be the stage for one of the most closely watched races as Republicans strive to maintain their slim majority in the chamber. The Cook Political Report has classified the race as a "Democrat toss up" in a state that Trump won by over 10 points.
Kaptur's record has not been without criticism. During her last campaign, she was criticized for introducing only five bills that became law in her 41-year tenure. Nadeem shared that even those who "love" Kaptur agree that her 22 terms in Congress are excessive. "It's time to pass the torch," Nadeem said.
Nadeem's campaign will focus on key issues such as jobs and manufacturing, which she described as "near and dear" to her heart. She emphasized the importance of preserving blue-collar jobs in the northwest, making it her "number one priority." Another priority for Nadeem is bringing fiscal responsibility to Washington, D.C.
Nadeem pointed out the drastic increase in the United States' debt since Kaptur took office in 1983, from $1.6 trillion to $36 trillion. "So you can just see like, under Democratic leadership, we have not done better. So we need to get our fiscal house in order," Nadeem said. She stressed the importance of balancing the nation's checkbook to ensure the sustainability of Social Security and Medicare, which she referred to as "earned benefits."
Nadeem's campaign promises a fresh perspective and a commitment to fiscal responsibility and job preservation. Her military background and personal history lend her a unique perspective, and her conservative stance aligns with the values of limited government and free-market economics. As she steps into the political arena, she carries with her the hopes of those who believe it's time for a change in Ohio's 9th Congressional District.
Login