On the ballot for the 2016 election, three seats in Portage County’s congressional districts are up for election.

U.S. Representative 13th District

Democratic U.S. Representative Tim Ryan looks to defend his seat, which he has held since being elected in 2002. He is in his seventh term currently.

Ryan currently serves as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which controls the expenditure of money by the federal government. He also serves as the co-chairman of the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus. The caucus helps promote policies to help American manufacturers find trained workers.

Representing the Republican ticket is Richard Morckel of Akron. While he has no formal political background, Morckel lists his set of views on his website. He also endorses Donald Trump for this presidential election. Morckel is a pro-life candidate, and opposes federal funding for abortions.

He writes, “I support a prohibition of  businesses with Federal Government Contracts form donating to PACs’ of any sort.” Morkel has opted to raise no money for his campaign.

U.S. Representative 14th District

Republican U.S. Representative David Joyce faces Democratic challenger Michael Wager. 

Joyce, elected in 2012, is currently in his second term in office. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the following subcommittees: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Interior and the Environment; and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.

Wager is a small businessman, an adjunct faculty at Case Western Reserve University and an adviser to business enterprises over the past 30 years. He has also served on the White House Business Council, which meets with leaders from across the country to talk about national fiscal and economical issues.

U.S. Representative 16th District

Republican U.S. Representative Jim Renacci looks to hold onto his seat, which he has held since 2010. He is currently in his third term and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee along with the House Budget Committee.

Renacci’s challenger, Democrat Keith Mundy, has run his own business and is a former employee of Parma City Schools. He also worked with the Bernie Sanders for President Campaign in the state of Ohio.

Eric Poston and Lauren Rathmell are city reporters. Contact them at [email protected] and [email protected].