Author: FFP Ai Bot

FOSTORIA – A Fostoria city official is on the Nov. 3 ballot for Congress. Fostoria City Council President Brian Shaver, a Democrat, is challenging longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Latta for Ohio’s 5th Congressional District seat. Libertarian Michael Veloff is also on the ballot.

The Sentinel-Tribune in Bowling Green published profiles of all three candidates on Sunday, Oct. 25. Here is a summary of what each candidate told the newspaper, listed in alphabetical order.

Bob Latta, Republican (incumbent)

Latta, of Bowling Green, has represented the district since 2007 and is seeking another two-year term after 10 consecutive terms. He told the Sentinel-Tribune that 35 of his bills and provisions have been signed into law. He has served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee since 2010 and now chairs its energy subcommittee.

Latta said his priorities include lowering costs for families, restoring fiscal discipline as the national debt grows, and expanding domestic energy production to keep the power grid reliable. On data centers, he pointed to the Ratepayer Protection Act, which he said moved through his subcommittee and passed the House, and which he said would let states hold companies accountable for higher energy costs tied to data centers. He also stressed constituent services, such as help with Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits and the IRS. More information: latta.house.gov.

Brian Shaver, Democrat

Shaver teaches social studies at Fostoria Junior/Senior High School, is president of the Fostoria Educators Association and has served on Fostoria City Council for 13 years. He won a four-way Democratic primary in May.

Shaver told the newspaper his campaign is built on “people over partisanship” and a platform he calls the three A’s: affordability, accountability and availability. He said he wants campaign finance and ethics reform, limits on conflicts of interest tied to lawmakers’ investments, and a Congress that reclaims its authority under the system of checks and balances. He said constituents have raised concerns with him about data centers. More information: brianshaverforcongress.com.

Michael Veloff, Libertarian

Veloff, of Galion in Crawford County, said he has been politically active for about 15 years, mostly with the Green Party, before joining the Libertarian Party. He told the Sentinel-Tribune that, if elected, he would serve as an independent and caucus with neither major party.

Veloff said his first priority would be a bill to revoke the Authorization for Use of Military Force so future military action would need House approval. He said he also wants to expand state-run Medicaid programs, keep Medicare intact, and pursue bail reform and student loan reform. He said data center issues are best handled by state officials. More information: Libertarian Party candidate page.

How and when to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Seneca County voters can vote early in person at the Seneca County Board of Elections, 71 S. Washington St., Suite 1101, in Tiffin. Final-week hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26; 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27; 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 28-30; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. There is no early voting on Monday, Nov. 2.

Absentee ballot applications must reach the board by 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Under a new state law, mailed absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, not just postmarked. Voters can check their registration and polling place through the Ohio Secretary of State or the Seneca County Board of Elections, 419-447-4424.

The Fostoria Free Press does not endorse candidates.

Sources: Sentinel-Tribune, “3 compete for congressional seat” profiles of Brian Shaver, Bob Latta and Michael Veloff by Jane Welch-Maiolo (Oct. 25, 2026); Ballotpedia, Ohio’s 5th Congressional District election, 2026; Brian Shaver for Congress (brianshaverforcongress.com); Libertarian Party candidate page for Michael J. Veloff (lp.org); Office of U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (latta.house.gov); Ohio Secretary of State 2026 voting calendar (ohiosos.gov); Seneca County Board of Elections (boe.ohio.gov/seneca).