Scott Wharton Runs for Ohio Congress

“There comes a time when you can jump in and do something or just sit on the sidelines,” said Wharton. “With the economy the way it is, I felt that this was a good year to get into politics and do something.”

In order for Wharton to have a shot at District 15‘s seat, he will first have to defeat Athens Law Director, Pat Lang, in the Democratic primary on March 6th.

Wharton decided to make a run for office after he saw the lack of progress in the economy, which he believes was largely due to the continued partisan politics in Congress. Congress recently received its worst approval rating in history at 11 percent, something that Wharton is looking to change.

“Both parties seem to be stuck up on their ideology,” he said. “Compromise is a word that they need to use so that we can put aside these partisan politics.”

One particular issue that Wharton wants his campaign to focus on is creating more jobs for Ohioans. He supports President Obama’s American Jobs Act of 2011 and thinks that the most job growth can occur in infrastructure and manufacturing jobs. Wharton also believes that, in order for this to happen, Republicans will have to allow the tax cuts administered in President Bush’s term to expire for high income families.

As for his opponent in Mr. Lang, Wharton is confident that his credentials will be a reason why he is a viable candidate in the upcoming primary.

“I’ve met Mr. Lang and he’s a nice guy, certainly and up and comer in the future, but now is my time, not his,” he said. “The major difference between him and I is my background and my connections with organized labor. I think labor has a chance to change the face of Ohio politics this year.”

Wharton hopes to receive the support of veterans, as he spent 10 years in active duty and then an additional 10 as a member of the reserves, serving in the Gulf and Iraqi Wars. Wharton is also a union member of the Air Lines Pilot Association (ALPA), as he is a pilot for Delta Airlines, and he is the only union member that is running on the ballot in the upcoming primary. In addition, he owns and operates his own farm in Amanda and is planning on receiving the support of those involved in the agriculture sector come March.

As for current representative, Stivers, Wharton hasn’t been thrilled with how Stivers has performed in office since his election in 2010.

“Mr. Stivers is a former bank lobbyist and he’s accepted more than $4 million in PAC money, not including individual donations. He represents what’s the worst with Congress, which is supporting the interests of only a few and not the American people as a whole.”

Wharton is referring to the money Stivers has raised since 2008, and according to OpenSecrets.org, Stivers has received a total of $2,878,287 at this point from PACs in the current cycle, with the majority coming from businesses such as J.P. Morgan Chase and Nationwide.  Wharton wants to get rid of this PAC funding and claims he is a supporter of the Stock Act, a bill that is trying to eliminate inside trading within Congress.

“Both my son and daughter have completed their degrees, and yet, they still can’t find

work,” he said. “It seems today that you go and do what you’re supposed to do to try and achieve the American dream, yet, it’s still out of reach. That’s why we need to start focusing on the American people, rather than what a small minority believes is right.”