By Monica Dobson, Newswire Intern

With election day three weeks away now is the time to know about each of the qualifying candidates for Ohios 1st Congressional District and Hamilton County Prosecutor.

The incumbent congressman Greg Landsman is representing the Democratic Party. He lives in the Mt. Washington neighborhood Cincinnati, Ohio. Landsman is a former public-school teacher, who later worked in education advocacy as an Executive Director of the Strive Partnership. He also served as the Director of faith-based Community Initiatives under former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

If elected, Landsman is determined to maintain the Child Tax Credit, and increase benefits for senior citizens.

Orlando Sonza is the Republican Candidate. He is a second generation Filipino American, who was born and raised in New Jersey. Sonza attended the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York. After graduation, he served as an Infantry and Finance officer with the third Infantry division at Fort Stewart. Today Sonza works as Executive Director of the Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission.

If elected, Sonza’s goals are to increase spending for the military and crime reduction efforts.

Who are the current PPUB campaigners here at Xavier? 

Sophomore Megan Cooper and Junior Josh Holman are both a part of the Philosophy, Politics, and the Public(PPP) program at Xavier, which places students in local elections. Cooper and Holman are working for Ohio State Representative Connie Pillich’s campaign for Hamilton County prosecutor. 

Holman shares that Connie Pillich is also campaigning on making sure that abortion rights are protected while also investing in getting guns off the streets and fighting the opioid epidemic. 

“Connie Pillich is campaigning on cleaning up the office right now under Republican control,” Holman said. “There is no accountability among prosecutors.” 

Nick Watts, Sophomore PPP major, is working on the Melissa Powers opposing campaign. A Republican running for Prosecutor. 

“The goal is to get elected,” Watts said. “Her goal is to keep Hamilton County safe and make sure we’re prosecuting and having appropriate jail sentences for criminals in Hamilton County.” Watts said.

“We want to make sure we’re prosecuting and having appropriate jail sentences for Criminals in Hamilton County.” Watts added “And protecting the citizens of Hamilton County.”

Cooper further explains how the prosecutor’s office doesn’t have a Human Resources department which in result has caused the office to become “a breeding ground for Republican politicians.”