CINCINNATI – A Republican candidate in one of the most closely monitored House races nationwide is defending Trump’s VP pick JD Vance after his adversary, Rep. Greg Landsman, contended that Vance doesn’t reflect the interests of southwest Ohio.
“What I have to say to my opponent is to take a good look in the mirror,” Orlando Sonza told Fox News Digital in reaction to a detailed thread on X from Landsman explaining why he believes Vance fails to adequately represent southwest Ohio.
In the thread, Landsman referred to Vance as “weird” and stated, “Mr. Vance and I live just a few miles apart. We both grew up in Butler County. However, my beliefs – and those of the individuals I represent – are completely different from his.”
“His views and beliefs do not align with Southwest Ohio,” Landsman insisted, before addressing various criticisms of Vance’s statements.
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Orlando Sonza is competing against Greg Landsman in Ohio’s 1st Congressional District. (Getty Images)
“You must recognize that your own policies reveal that you’re out of sync with the people of southwest Ohio,” Sonza asserted.
Sonza criticized Landsman on numerous previous positions, including immigration and policing, claiming these do not align with the majority of voters in Ohio’s 1st Congressional District.
“Supporting an open southern border and flip-flopping on this issue, with your last stance being that you won’t denounce the failing Biden administration’s policies that have led to our open southern border – which directly correlates to the issues we’re witnessing here in southwest Ohio – is something you have to account for,” Sonza said.
“When you’ve advocated for unchecked government spending with no cuts, and your initial move when the debt-ceiling debate arose last year was to raise the debt ceiling with no spending reductions, that demands accountability.”
Sonza continued, “So who is truly out of touch with Ohio voters? It’s my opponent. He must look in the mirror and confront that fact ahead of November.”
Sonza also criticized Landsman for being “against parents making the best educational choices for their children” by voting against the parental bill of rights.
“You must answer for that,” Sonza insisted. “When you’ve supported defunding the police while serving on Cincinnati City Council, you need to respond to that. When you advocated for Cincinnati to become a sanctuary city back in 2017, Greg Landsman, you need to address that. So who is out of sync with Ohio voters? It’s my opponent. He must look in the mirror and deal with that.”
Sonza expressed his personal endorsement of Vance, stating that despite Democratic criticism and reported hesitancy from some conservatives, Vance is the right choice for vice president.
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Former President Trump with his running mate JD Vance (Fox News)
“JD Vance is not merely a friend,” Sonza, a West Point alum and former U.S. Army officer, clarified. “He is an incredibly strong candidate for vice president, which is why it’s no surprise that President Trump chose him from a long list of potential VP candidates to share the ticket.
“We recognize strength in JD Vance not only as a father, a veteran, and an entrepreneur but also as someone who embodies the American dream, having risen from humble beginnings through hard work and dedication to make something meaningful for his community, country, and family. He has proven his commitment to Ohio.”
Sonza asserted that Vance has “served the American people” well during his “short time” in the Senate, and that the country is in need of “that exact kind of leadership.”
“I fully support JD Vance on the ticket,” Sonza affirmed. “It’s not just beneficial for the country; it’s fundamentally strong for Ohio, as we’ve observed his capability to deliver time and time again as our U.S. senator, and I am confident he’ll do so as the next vice president.”
The Cook Political Report categorizes the 1st District race as “likely Democrat,” yet Republicans have allocated resources for the contest. Landsman secured victory by a margin of just over five points in 2022.
Ohio’s 1st District includes the city of Cincinnati and all of Warren County.
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Rep. Greg Landsman at a press conference. (Getty)
Landsman has criticized Sonza regarding abortion, while Sonza has prioritized the economy and overall quality of life as pivotal issues in his campaign.
“Unless we shift our course, the future does not look bright, and this November presents us with that opportunity,” Sonza conveyed to Fox News Digital. “It’s about whether we will provide a stronger economy, a safer community, and a better educational system than we currently possess. All of these factors greatly affect not just my generation or those before me but the future generation as well.“
A spokesperson for the Landsman campaign told Fox News Digital, “Greg is a bipartisan leader with a track record of meeting the needs of southwest Ohio.”
“Greg voted to hold the Biden administration accountable on border issues, contributed to a bipartisan border solution, and is currently advocating for it to be brought to a vote. He was part of the bipartisan effort that averted a disastrous default and led the budget process that increased police funding by $20 million during his time on Cincinnati City Council. He also played a key role in securing an additional recruit class just before being elected to Congress.”
The spokesperson added, “While Greg has been collaborating across party lines to serve his constituents, Sonza, who doesn’t even reside in the district, seems to only echo far-right congressional talking points.”
