Majewski out of race officially

SANDUSKY — J.R. Majewski filed paperwork Wednesday to quit the race for Congress, clearing the way for one of his three opponents to be the Republican nominee opposing U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. Although Majewski had publicly announced Saturday that he was suspending his campaign, he remained as a valid candidate until he turned in a letter late Wednesday morning at the Lucas County Election Board. Ballots for the race are already printed and early voting has been going on for days. But the filing means that his votes will no longer be counted. Election boards will do their best to inform voters Majewski is no longer in the race, including putting up signs in polling places. Majewski's decision means the Republican nominee opposing Kaptur will be one of three remaining candidates: state Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova Township; former state Rep. Craig Riedel of Defiance, and Steve Lankenau of Defiance. Majewski told the Register Wednesday he's "not sure" yet if he will make an endorsement. Majewski withdrew from the race in a brief letter to the Lucas County Election Board. After he turned it in, Majewski posted a video on his X account, @JRMajewski, explaining that moving the Ninth District seat into the GOP column is vital. "When I found out I didn't have the numbers or the margins to be the most effective in defeating Marcy Kaptur this general election, I decided it was time for me to move aside," he said. Majewski said that while he's confident Trump will win this fall, the president needs the Republican Party to maintain its majority in the U.S. House. "If me stepping aside helps in that fight, then I'm willing to put my personal ambitions inside," Majewski said. "It's very, very important that the seat is flipped." He also thanked his supporters. Majewski was the GOP nominee in 2022. Until a recent gaffe, when he spoke disparagingly about Special Olympics athletes, Majewski was believed by many to be the front-runner to win the nomination again. Although he quickly realized his mistake and apologized, the incident hampered his campaign and prompted calls asking for him to get out. Majewski is known as a strong Trump supporter — he came to public attention when he turned his yard into a giant Trump sign, visible from the air — and it's believed he might be offered a job in the Trump administration if Trump wins. Asked about that, Majewski told the Register, "I think that's up to him. We haven't had any discussions but I know that he values my knowledge regarding the energy industry." Before he turned to politics, Majewski worked in the nuclear power industry. Early voting in Ohio began on Feb. 21. According to Alex Jones, director of the Erie County Election Board, there's nothing that can be done about ballots that already have been cast for Majewski. The law doesn't allow such voters to turn in a second ballot.