LIMA — Perhaps the third time really will be the charm.
After unsuccessful attempts to unseat U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, in 2014 and 2016, retired Oberlin teacher Janet Garrett is once again looking to square off against Jordan in the race for Ohio’s 4th District seat.
Garrett met with a group of supporters Thursday at the Lima Public Library, an event organized by Allen and Hardin for Election Action and Democracy. Garrett is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2018 congressional race, a nomination also being sought by Andrew Mackey, of Ridgewood.
For Garrett, continuing this battle is, as she told those in attendance, “the right thing to do.”
“I ran in 2014 originally as a write-in candidate,” she said. “At the time, it was more or less a protest. I knew that as a person who did not have any money, political machinery or name recognition, I didn’t have a chance. The following (election), I knew it was an uphill battle, but I thought that Democrats might do well. This time, I’m going to win because there is going to be a Democratic tidal wave in 2018 and another one in 2020.”
Garrett continued to criticize Jordan’s track record, maintaining he has done nothing to improve his district.
“He works for his personal agenda, but he has no legislative successes, he has no initiatives in the district and he just has his eye on the speakership,” she said. “He’s not working for us.”
One of the main topics Garrett discussed Thursday was health care, an issue that she sees as in dire need of work, asserting that the United States pays so much into health care and sees so little in return in terms of quality. For her, the solution can be found in such nations as Finland and England.
“I wanted to talk about health care a lot because it is what is being decided right now and it is so important that we get it right,” she said. “My position is that we really have got to finally get universal health care in this country. My solution to the problem would be to have everyone pay more into Medicare and just have Medicare for all.”
For more information about Garrett and her platform, go to www.janetgarrett.com.
