Two candidates running for Ohio Senate's 22nd district

Mark Romanchuk, 62 Party: Republican Education: He has a bachelor's degree in engineering technology from DeVry Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. Family: He is married to Zoi Romanchuk. Job history: He worked for Hughes Aircraft Company from 1984 to 1991 and PR Machine Works, Inc. from 1993 to the present. Website: MarkRomanchuk.com Kathy Salem, 81 Party: Democrat Education: She has a bachelor's degree in business from Case Western Reserve University, which she worked to earn from 1987 to 1989. Family: She had two children and is now a grandmother of four. Job history: She worked as a beautician for 20 years, and then became an advertising executive at The Plain Dealer. After graduating from Case Western Reserve University, she worked as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Since 2014, she has been the managing director of Night is Alive Productions, which is a music production company. Website: kathysalem.com Two candidates are running for the Ohio Senate's 22nd district this November, incumbent Mark Romanchuk and Kathy Salem. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Romanchuk: A good economy translates into opportunity for all Ohioans. This has been my primary focus the last 12 years in the Legislature. Despite federal policies that have created headwinds to our state economy, Ohio's economy remains strong due to the policies passed during my tenure. These policies include personal income tax cuts, small-business tax cuts and a focus on reducing the number of unnecessary rules and regulations on Ohio businesses. I am uniquely qualified to know what policies will create a robust economy due to my three decades of owning a manufacturing company and creating jobs. Salem: Kathy always says, "There is no advantage to being short; however, there is an advantage to working hard." This is a motto that Kathy has consistently lived by throughout her whole life. From working her way up to the top at the Plain Dealer, then to becoming a lobbyist in Washington, D.C, Kathy proved there is no challenge too hard for her to take on. When elected, she will bring that same attitude to the Statehouse for her constituents. She will work to ensure that people in District 22 will have their issues addressed adequately at the Statehouse in Columbus. What is the biggest challenge facing the district, and how would you address it? Romanchuk: The two biggest challenges facing the district are increasing property taxes and rising electricity costs. The Senate has already passed a bill which I supported to mitigate increasing property taxes. That bill is House Bill 187 and, hopefully, the House will concur and the governor will sign it into law. Our electric bills have several hidden charges which are present on everyone's bill. I've been working on reforming the ratemaking process and eliminating these additional charges for several years and have introduced several bills to accomplish this. The current bill number is Senate Bill 143. Salem: Ohio Senate District Twenty is a large district that encompasses all of Medina, Richland and Ashland Counties. A large portion of these counties encompass rural communities that have a diverse array of needs. One major priority for Kathy Salem is to bring affordable and convenient healthcare to these communities that often do not have access to the same healthcare as big cities. Kathy also wants to help promote organized labor unions. Kathy wants to help the workers in District 22 earn the pay they deserve by promoting laws that encourage labor unions. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.