US Senate
Neither candidate responded to our survey. These answers are taken from the League of Women Voters Guide
Sherrod Brown (D) |
Jim Renacci (R) |
Bio: Education: Masters from The Ohio State University, BA from Yale Training and Experience: U.S. Senator for Ohio |
Bio: Education: Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Training and Experience: My breadth of experience in the private sector, in which I created over 1,500 jobs and employed over 3,000 people across Ohio, has rendered me uniquely qualified to effectively serve our state in the United States Senate and to advance the values of hardworking Ohioans—not Washington special interests and career politicians. |
What would you do to enact a fair and equitable immigration policy in Congress? Earlier this year, I supported a pair of bipartisan bills that would have provided certainty to Dreamers while boosting security on our borders. Unfortunately those efforts failed, but I will continue to work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues until we reach a bipartisan solution to fix our broken immigration system that protects those brought here as children who are working and contributing to their communities. |
What would you do to enact a fair and equitable immigration policy in Congress? Our immigration system is in desperate need of reforms. I will support a merit-based immigration system so we bring in the best and brightest from around the world that have the skills we need to strengthen our country in a 21st Century economy. It’s vital that we uphold our responsibility to our citizens to protect our borders and hold sanctuary cities accountable for failing to cooperate with federal law enforcement officials. We are a nation of laws and it is imperative that they are faithfully and effectively enforced. |
Explain your position on gun safety, sales, and ownership. We cannot say we are doing what it takes to keep Americans safe until we are finally willing to pass commonsense laws to protect people from gun violence. I have always respected the rights of hunters, collectors, and other law-abiding gun owners, and no one intends to take their guns away. But when our children are not safe in their schools, it’s clear something has to be done to protect Ohioans against gun violence. That’s why I am proud of my record of supporting: true comprehensive background check legislation, closing loopholes that allow suspected terrorists to buy guns, funding research into the causes of gun violence, and banning deadly assault rifles that belong on the battlefields and not on our streets. |
Explain your position on gun safety, sales, and ownership. I support Second Amendment rights. I’m a gun owner and I have a conceal carry permit. I’ve fought to uphold the Constitutional rights of Ohioans to protect their families. I’m proud to have supported bills to ensure that people who pass the test to get a concealed carry permit can take that license across state lines. And I have fought to keep the guns out of the hands of the dangerous and the mentally ill. Now I understand that good people can disagree on this issue, and I support common-sense reforms like an improved background check system, and more safety for our schools. |
What are your legislative priorities to effectively respond to our changing climate and related challenges for environmental, agricultural, and human health? From the Great Lakes to small ponds, I have been a leader in defending Ohio’s lakes and waterways. I partnered with senators throughout the region to champion the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, to clean up and revitalize these vital water resources, and, together with Senator Portman, vocally opposed the Trump Administration’s efforts to drastically reduce support for the project. The health of our environment has a direct impact on the health of Ohioans. I worked to protect our drinking water and am a strong proponent of increasing funding to prevent, monitor, and eliminate lead poisoning. I also worked with Senator Portman to protect our water from microcystin, the byproduct of the algal blooms that created the 2014 water crisis in the Toledo area. Furthermore, I’ve spoken out against dangerous cuts to the federal budget that would make it nearly impossible to enforce clean air and water laws. |
What are your legislative priorities to effectively respond to our changing climate and related challenges for environmental, agricultural, and human health? As the largest industry in Ohio, agriculture is vital to the Ohio economy. We have more than 75,000 farms in Ohio, & the agriculture industry adds more than $100 billion to our state’s economy each year. I’ve fought to make sure Ohio farmers have a voice in D.C. & am proud to have been endorsed in 2012, 2014 and 2016 by the Ohio Farm Bureau. But in recent years, career politicians in D.C. have caused some major problems for our Ohio farmers. I can’t tell you how many farmers I’ve talked to who have told me how the EPA and Washington Bureaucrats have harassed them, driven up the cost of doing business, and forcing them to lay off workers. Let me give you just one example. The EPA dramatically expanded the definition of the Waters of the US, or WOTUS, to give them authority over a low spot where rainwater collects no matter how small. This created confusion & costly bureaucratic hoops for Ohio’s family farms. That’s why I supported legislation that would’ve reversed the WOTUS regulation. |