Craig Riedel, a Defiance Republican, has announced his candidacy and filed his nominating petitions for State Representatives for Ohio’s 82nd House District, which includes Defiance, Paulding, and Van Wert Counties as well as part of northern AuGlaize County.
Riedel, 49, a retired businessman, is excited to begin his campaign for office. He looks forward to speaking with the citizens of the 82nd District in the coming year, and sharing his ideas on how to improve the state of Ohio. “Our best days lay ahead of us and I cannot wait to get started,” said Riedel.
Craig grew up in north central Ohio on a farm just outside a small town named Attica. He played football, basketball, and baseball as a youth and graduated from Seneca East High School in 1984. He went on to earn a civil engineering degree from The Ohio State University in June of 1988. Shortly after graduating from OSU he took a job with Nucor Vulcraft Group as a design engineer, and he and his newly wedded wife, Danette, moved to Fort Wayne, IN. In 1989, they bought their first home in Defiance, Ohio. Craig enjoyed a 27 year long career with Nucor. Most of his tenure with Nucor was spent in a sales capacity with the last 13 being Division Sales Manager. The Riedel family moved several times during his Nucor career: living in Fort Wayne, IN; Grand Rapids, MI; Springfield, OH; and finally the last stop being back in Defiance, OH. Craig retired from Nucor in June of 2015 in order to follow his passion and hopes to represent his friends and fellow citizens as their State Representative. He will be a candidate for State Representative of the Ohio 82nd District on the March 15, 2016, Republican primary ballot.
Riedel has been very active in the communities where he has lived. He was a youth football, basketball, and baseball coach, and he and his wife have always been active member in their church. He recently was a member of Defiance St. Mary Pastoral Council and currently serves as a Eucharistic minister. He is an officer with the Defiance High School Athletic Boosters and is a member of the Defiance Rotary Club. He volunteers his time freely with community projects and activities. Craig is a service minded man who feels a duty to help his community and neighbors.
Craig and Danette, who is a licensed practical nurse, have two adult children. Steve lives in Columbus, OH and Renee in Chicago, IL. Both are graduates of Defiance High School and Ohio State. Craig and Danette have been married for 27 years.
Getting back to his retirement at the age of 49, Craig stated that the reason he reached this decision is because he felt a tug in his heart for more in his life. He is not interested in money or fame or notoriety, but, “I just want to serve, and I knew this was the right thing for me,” he stated. Since Riedel is a seasoned business man, he feels that this experience will equate to a good foundation for entering the political arena. Riedel has no previous political experience, which he feels gives him an advantage because he has new eyes and fresh perspectives to the race. He stands on strong conservative values such as the sanctity of life and support for the 2nd amendment. It is an important concept to Riedel to lead by example, with honesty and integrity, and these are things he can do. He truly believes that he can help this country get back on track and rediscover the conservative values and principles it was founded upon.
Riedel’s campaign has many scheduled appearances throughout the winter leading up to the Republican Primary on March 15, 2016. For more information, visit his website: www.citizenstoelectriedel.com
