Renacci Endorsed by Gun Owners
Jim Renacci has been officially endorsed by the Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund.
Renacci, a Republican, received an “A” rating from the organization, which is different from the National Rifle Association. GOA also gave Jeffrey J. Blevins, a Libertarian, an “A” rating, while giving incumbent U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, a “D” rating. The endorsement was announced two days after the NRA formally endorsed Boccieri.
The NRA gives Boccieri an “A” rating based on his voting record in Congress and the Ohio Legislature.
The GOA takes a different view on Boccieri’s voting records, which is why that organization gives him a “D.” GOA contends Boccieri voted against the interests of gun owners six times. It also notes his vote for “the government takeover of health care.” GOA dislikes the health care bill because it doesn’t “contain adequate safeguards to prevent government bureaucrats from using a medical records database to disarm law-abiding gun owners without the benefit of a trial.”
The NRA gave Renacci an “AQ” rating, which means the organization likes his responses to a candidate questionnaire, but notes he doesn’t have a voting record on Second Amendment issues. Blevins doesn’t have an NRA rating.
Obama praises Boccieri during TV appearance
When the president sits down for an interview, the media takes notice. Even if the interview is with a comedian who specializes in “fake news.”
The media also pays attention when the president drops a name. So plenty of media outlets noted Thursday that President Barack Obama mentioned U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, during an interview Wednesday night on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.”
A first-term congressman, Boccieri is battling Republican challenger Jim Renacci, a businessman and former Wadsworth mayor, for re-election. Also in the race is Libertarian candidate Jeffrey J. Blevins, a restaurant manager from Wadsworth, and write-in candidate Bob Ross, a Wooster chiropractor.
Boccieri was mentioned when Obama expressed hope that voters will reward Democrats from largely conservative districts who supported controversial issues because they thought it was the right. The president also mentioned first-term U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Va., and U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Colo.
“Folks took tough votes that they knew were bad politics because they knew it was the right thing to do,” Obama said. “My hope is that those people are rewarded for taking those tough votes, and if they do, I think we’ll be rewarded on Election Day.”
It’s the second time Obama has referenced Boccieri, Perriello and Markey as candidates facing tough challenges in the midterm elections. He mentioned all three during an Oct. 12 town hall meeting for the Democratic National Committee at George Washington University.
Boccieri didn’t watch Obama’s interview when it aired, but received text messages from friends about being mentioned. He watched the show online Thursday.
“I think the president recognizes conviction in politics,” Boccieri said.
In 2008, health care reform was an issue Boccieri promoted during his campaign. He believes be followed through with a campaign promise by supporting the bill passed in March.
“It’s a matter of a promises made, promises kept,” Boccieri said, adding that he ran for Congress “not to do what was easy, but to do what was right.”
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