Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan launches Rust Belt-centric presidential run

(Image credit: SAUL LOEB / Getty Images)

published 4 April 2019

Another one.

That's probably the best way to describe the news that Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) is running for president. The congressmember said in February he was "seriously considering" a 2020 campaign, and made it official on Thursday with a campaign website and video focused on his Ohio roots.

In his campaign video, Ryan describes growing up in a manufacturing town just outside of Youngstown, Ohio. That Rust Belt focus continues as the camera pans over factory footage and as Ryan talks with union bricklayers. He goes on to proclaim how, without mentioning President Trump's name, "all the promises of the last campaign have disappeared" and that it's time to "come out of the soil with something new."

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Ryan also appears wearing a shirt reading "we can end gun violence" as he plays with his kids and cooks with his wife, who touts how Ryan is always "completely engaged in conversation" with constituents who talk to him. Ryan mentions that people shouldn't worry about health care if their "kid gets sick," suggesting that'll be a big part of his campaign too.

Ryan's website and video launch may have been a bit premature, seeing as Fox News reported he was planning to announce on The View on Thursday afternoon. He's the second representative to join the 2020 field, after Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii). Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) is reportedly announcing a bid on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert sometime soon.

The Democratic field has constantly been described as "crowded," but at this point maybe "absolute swarm" would be more accurate.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.