Eric Conroy Announces Candidacy for Ohio’s First Congressional District

Eric Conroy, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and former CIA case officer, has thrown his hat into the ring to represent Ohio’s First Congressional District. Based in Cincinnati, he shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital ahead of his announcement, emphasizing that southwest Ohio deserves a practical and straightforward representative in Washington, D.C.

In his campaign, Conroy has been critical of sitting Democrat Greg Landsman, branding him as someone disconnected from Ohio’s needs and linking his policies to President Biden’s progressive agenda. He expressed his views quite vividly, stating, “This is a decision along the line of AOC and Nancy Pelosi, not someone from southwestern Ohio.”

Ohio, once known for its swing voting, has shifted notably toward the Republican side in recent elections. For instance, Republican Senator Bernie Moreno managed to defeat longtime Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in 2024, marking a significant change in the state’s political landscape. Conroy seems to be leveraging this momentum, noting that the Democrats have shown a “lack of initiative, lack of foundation, lack of real ideas” in light of Ohio’s recent red waves.

He doesn’t hold back in discussing the issues he sees with Landsman’s approach to governance. Conroy argued that the focus should be on solving everyday problems rather than pushing a far-left agenda. “Greg Landsman is part of that problem; they really can’t deal with the daily struggles people face,” he mentioned.

It’s interesting to see that Landsman, elected to Ohio’s District 1 in 2022, recently managed to fend off Republican challenger Orlando Sonza, after previously taking over the seat from former GOP representative Steve Chabot. Landsman, a veteran and ex-prosecutor, certainly has his own credentials, but Conroy believes his multifaceted approach could better serve Cincinnati in Congress.

Conroy has laid out some of his campaign priorities, which include building a robust economy, supporting law enforcement, and ensuring secure borders. He also highlights a commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare—issues likely to resonate with voters as the 2026 midterm elections approach. In his own words, “I’m running for Congress because I’ve seen the threats I face overseas and the struggles my family faces at home. Now is the time for new leadership that embodies common sense.”