RICHLAND COUNTY — Four Democrats have filed to run for Ohio’s 5th Congressional District seat, setting up a primary race ahead of the 2026 general election.
The candidates include Brian A. Shaver, Scott E. Tabor, Martin M. Heberling III and Daniel John Burket. The seat is currently held by Republican Bob Latta.
Voters will choose one Democratic nominee to advance to the general election.
The U.S. House seat carries a two-year term, running from Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2028.
Members of Congress earn a salary of around $174,000, along with federal benefits.
Brian A. Shaver: Educator and council president enters race
Brian A. Shaver, 48, a longtime educator and local elected official, said his background in both education and public service positions him for a competitive run.
Shaver teaches social studies at Fostoria City Schools, where he focuses on world history and international relations. He has also served as president of the local union for the past eight years.
Shaver currently serves as president of Fostoria City Council. He joined council in 2013 as an at-large member before becoming council president.
Shaver earned a degree in history and secondary education from Bluffton University, and later studied international relations at the University of Toledo, he completed a master’s in educational leadership in 2023. He is now working toward a doctorate at Bowling Green State University.
Shaver said the timing of his campaign reflects both personal and political factors.
“My daughter will be graduating in a few weeks, and I wanted to enjoy the time I had with her at home,” he said. “Now I’m about to be an empty nester, and I figured this was a good time.”
Campaign focus on balance and broad perspective
Shaver said he believes the district presents a rare opportunity for a Democratic candidate.
“This is probably the best positioning for a Democrat to win the congressional district in about 70 years,” he said.
Shaver points to his background as a key distinction in the race.
“I have to leave my personal views and religious views at the schoolhouse door,” he said. “That positions me really well to serve all the people of this district.”
He stated his experience living in both rural and urban environments give him an advantage. Shaver lives on a six-and-a-half-acre working farm, where he grows produce and raises livestock.
“I understand what farmers are going through with gas prices and fertilizer shortages,” he said. “I also understand the struggles people face across the district.”
Shaver said he wants to restore checks and balances in government and strengthen congressional oversight.
“We need to get rid of insider trading and remedy the amount of money our congressional and senate people make in addition to the salaries off of the position they hold,” Shaver said.
He added some immediate things that could happen include discussions about campaign finance reform.
“I believe Congress is where the failure rests,” he said. “We need to start following the Constitution.”
Scott E. Tabor: First-time candidate emphasizes accountability
Scott E. Tabor, 64, a retired tradesman and first-time candidate, is also seeking the Democratic nomination for Ohio’s 5th Congressional District.
While Tabor is running as a Democrat, he said his campaign messaging emphasizes working-class economic priorities and accountability-focused representation.
Tabor received general college education through Lorain County Community College and Ohio University, along with apprenticeship and trade training through Local 33 Sheet Metal Workers International.
He has no prior elected experience.
Focus on constitutional accountability and economic stability
Tabor said he is running to defend the Constitution and restore accountability in government.
“Defending the Constitution, in practice, means protecting economic opportunity, limiting overreach and restoring a government that is accountable to the people it represents,” he said.
“I am running to ensure the government returns to its proper role — serving the people with accountability, transparency and respect for individual rights,” he said.
He pointed to challenges facing working-class communities in the district, including rising costs of living, job instability in manufacturing and declining trust in political institutions.
Tabor said his campaign centers on aligning constitutional principles with real-world outcomes such as job stability, affordability and honest representation.
Tabor’s commitment to accountability and service
Tabor said his candidacy is defined by strong judgment rooted in real-world experience and an understanding of the district’s economy, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and agriculture, noting his hands-on industry work and exposure to different cultures.
He said his approach to constituent service sets him apart.
“I am committed to personally responding to constituent emails and calls and maintaining accessible, in-person communication, rather than relying on scripted or delayed responses and impersonal town-hall formats,” Tabor said.
He said his background in union leadership, including roles as a steward, foreman and safety controller, shaped his willingness to enforce standards and advocate for workers.
“I have no problem calling someone out when necessary to protect workers and do the job right — and I will bring that same standard to Washington as a United States Congressman.”
Tabor said defending the Constitution requires more than rhetoric, it’s a responsibility.
“That means protecting individual rights, ensuring the government stays within its limits and holding leadership accountable to the people,” he said.
He said he would approach the role with integrity and discipline, emphasizing a commitment to upholding those principles while representing Ohio’s 5th District.
Martin M. Heberling III: Focuses on economic dignity
Martin M. Heberling III, 49, a public school teacher and former local elected official, is also seeking the Democratic nomination for Ohio’s 5th Congressional District.
Heberling teaches in Lorain City Schools and has a master’s degree in educational leadership. He previously served as an at-large councilman for the City of Amherst from 2019 through 2026, first by appointment and later winning re-election twice.
Campaign centered on working-class representation
Heberling said he is running because he believes current representation in Congress does not reflect the experiences of everyday residents in the district.
“I am a working-class father whose family has experienced a serious medical situation and has first-hand experience dealing with local government,” he said. “A person like all of us needs to be represented in Washington.”
He pointed to his background in education and local government as shaping his priorities.
“As a teacher, I see students’ futures limited by underfunded schools; as a former councilman, I’ve seen federal bureaucracy stall local rail and infrastructure safety,” he said. “I am running to bridge that gap.”
Heberling said his campaign will focus on economic dignity, including expanding the child tax credit, protecting Lake Erie and bringing high-paying green manufacturing jobs to the district.
“Our families deserve a representative who understands their daily struggles and treats kitchen-table issues as national priorities,” he said.
Emphasis on labor and local leadership
Heberling said his current role as a public school teacher sets him apart from other candidates.
“I live the economic realities my students’ families face,” he said.
He highlighted his seven years of service on Amherst City Council, where he said he helped balance budgets and address infrastructure challenges.
“With my experience, I will focus on stronger infrastructure, improving blocked rail crossings and strengthening safety services,” he said.
Heberling pointed to his labor leadership experience as treasurer of the Lorain County AFL-CIO.
“I am the only candidate with a concrete plan for economic dignity,” he said.
Heberling said his career has been rooted in service, both in and out of government.
“Representation is a service, not a career,” he said. “My life’s work — from the classroom to city council to the Lorain County Children Services Board to creating and running a non-profit youth organization, has been about showing up for our neighbors when it matters most.”
Heberling said he is running to prove a teacher’s heart and a local leader’s work ethic can move the needle in Washington D.C.
“Northwest Ohio is a region of hard workers and resilient families, but for too long, we’ve been told to settle for the status quo,” he said. “I’m ready to fight for the economic dignity that every Ohioan deserves.”
Daniel John Burket: Young business owner focuses on fiscal responsibility
Daniel John Burket, 31, a small business owner and community volunteer, is also seeking the Democratic nomination for Ohio’s 5th Congressional District.
Burket owns and operates a local restaurant and serves as board president for Hancock County’s Developmental Disabilities Center, a volunteer role. He has some college experience studying political science and finance but did not complete his degree. He has not held elected office before.
Burket said he is running for Congress because he believes federal office provides the greatest opportunity to protect citizens and prevent harmful legislation.
“We’ve seen just last year with unnecessary tariffs how the federal government can inflict pain on its own people,” he said.
Burket said his age is a defining feature of his candidacy. At age 31, he is more than 30 years younger than his oldest opponent, which he said gives him a fresh perspective on the consequences of policy decisions.
“People have come up to me and said they would vote for me solely because I am young and they are wanting new leaders who will have to live with the legislation they vote on,” Burket said.
“Some members of Congress are too out of touch with the day-to-day struggles families face. My upbringing was low-income where I had to work for everything I have and still do to this day,” he said. “I know the value of a helping hand when things may be bleak.”
Focus on fiscal responsibility and engagement
Burket said his experience running a small business and his position with his county’s developmental disabilities center equips him to manage government spending responsibly.
“Budgeting is a very important role within Congress, they control the power of the purse,” he said. “Money has to be watched closely, it can’t be taken for granted and must be budgeted correctly in order to provide services.”
Burket emphasized his commitment to staying connected with the public, stating he has spent months traveling the district, attending events and hosting town halls to gather feedback on voters’ concerns.
“A huge complaint I hear is that my opponent is never around — he only goes to places for quick photo ops/fish frys and when voters have given their input to him they feel it falls on deaf ears,” Burket said.
“I understand that my opponent needs to be in D.C., but when there are frequent recesses it is inexcusable for our representative to not be in the district to gather information and feedback from the people.”