Majewski says he is still running

SANDUSKY — Declaring that he will "never stop fighting," Republican U.S. 9th Congressional District candidate J.R. Majewski announced Wednesday that he's still running for Congress, despite a report that he was seriously considering dropping out. "I will never stop fighting for this country and the amazing people of Northwest Ohio," Majewski said in a statement he released Wednesday morning, one day after a news report said he might exit the race. Majewski had seriously considered ending his campaign, according to an article posted Tuesday by Politico. In a statement posted on his X account and released by a spokesperson, Majewski said, "After carefully considering the pressure and attacks by the Washington establishment machine, my family and I have decided that there is no mission more important than continuing this race and standing strong for the patriots I committed to fight for." Calls for Majewski to drop out, including those from local Republican legislators, came after Majewski made a comment about Special Olympians during a recent podcast appearance, in which he referred to athletes with developmental disabilities as "f------- r------." He apologized in a video posted to social media and promised to own his mistakes. But his critics argue the statement shows that he's not the candidate who can defeat the district's longtime Democratic congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, in November. A spokesperson did not grant a request to interview Majewski on Wednesday. "I will not cower to corruption, I will not be threatened, and I will never stop fighting for this country and the amazing people of Northwest Ohio," his statement read. According to the Politico report, Majewski told the political news site that was is considering exiting the race but has not made a decision. Majewski's X account was silent on the matter Tuesday but made the affirmation of staying in the race on Wednesday. Majewski lost to Kaptur, D-Toledo, in the 2022 general election, securing only 43% of the vote to Kaptur's 57% in a district that had recently been redrawn to be more of a tossup; it had previously been considered a Democrat-safe district. Majewski wrote on Feb. 24 that he and his wife had accepted an invitation to attend the Winter Games of the Ohio Special Olympics. Majewski called the experience a "humbling opportunity to learn and grow through my mistakes and try to become better" and wrote on his X account, "The Special Olympics programs offer leadership skills, health awareness and social growth that transcends beyond their athletes. I will be forever grateful for this experience, the power of knowledge and the gift of forgiveness." State Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, who had called on Majewski to drop out, said Majewski's announcement appears to be good news for Kaptur, who may not have to face an opponent who can defeat her. "She's doing backflips and somersaults," Click said. "He's the only one she knows she can beat," Click said in an earlier interview. "She's done it before and she will do it again. I know many Republicans who have told me that they would sit that one out." Majewski was invited but skipped a debate on Tuesday hosted by the Register in the 9th District Republican primary, the winner of which will face Kaptur. Two other candidates, State Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova Township, and former Napoleon mayor Steve Lankenau participated in the hourlong debate, which is available to view on the Register's YouTube channel and sanduskyregister.com. A fourth candidate, former state representative Craig Riedel, was also invited to the debate but also did not attend. Click endorsed Riedel and said that Merrin, a late entry in the race, also is a friend.