A dozen candidates for the Republican nomination for the 8th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives previously held by John Boehner shared thoughts with area voters during a Meet the Candidates event Feb. 23 at Troy Junior High School.

The participating candidates included several from Miami County including Bill Beagle of Tipp City, J.D. Winteregg of Troy, Scott George of Monroe Township, George Wooley of Troy and Warren Davidson of Troy. The other candidates participating were Eric Haemmerle of West Chester Township, Joseph Matvey of West Chester Township, John Robbins of Monroe, Michael Smith of Germantown, James Spurlino of Washington Township, Edward Meer of West Chester Township and Kevin White of New Carlisle.

Also running as Republicans but not on hand for the event are: Terri King of Middletown, Matthew Ashworth of Liberty Township and Tim Derickson of Hanover Township.

Among their comments:

Beagle, current 5th District state senator and a small business owner, said he continually hears about the failure of Washington and the administration “to solve our problems.” Among those problems, he said are the debt, Obamacare, companies moving overseas for tax purposes and Americans’ security. “People want someone in Washington who will get things done,” Beagle said.

Davidson, a Troy business owner with more than 200 employees, said, “this election is hugely consequential … for the presidency and the Congress.” He said he would fight for the district residents in Congress.

George, a Darke County native and businessman, said he doesn’t believe people are being heard. “People are fed up with the status quo. That is why we have people like Donald Trump leading the presidential race,” he said. “I will work hard for you and only you.”

Haemmerle, a Cincinnati area teacher, recalled fall 1984 when he and other Troy students waited along the railroad tracks to see the train carrying President Ronald Reagan come through town. “I want live in a safe community, a healthy community, a prosperous community,” he said.

Matvey said he like many other candidates is “frustrated, angry, upset with the way our government is being run.” He said he also is concerned about job creation as well as job preservation.

Meer said he was trained that actions speak louder than words. The Congress needs someone interested in “really making change,” he said, asking voters to consider more than the person spending the most money in the race.

Robbins said the U.S. Supreme Court needs some “guided direction” from Congress. He said he also would support everyone paying a 10 percent income tax.

Smith said more veterans are needed in the workforce. He said more technical schools to help added to skilled labor such as welders also are needed.

Spurlino said he worked in construction before starting his own company 15 years ago. “I know how to create jobs and fight regulations,” he said.

White said he advocates limited government that would be for and by the people. “Both parties have left you and I behind,” he said. “We have to refocus the attention of Washington.”

Winteregg said he hopes voters consider he came forward and ran against Boehner “when it was difficult” to run against him. He said people want someone they can relate to, someone who will fight for them and someone who will give them hope.

Wooley said he wants to protect America from its enemies outside and within its borders. The country has “moral rot” at all levels, he said, adding, “I want to restore sanity, order, righteousness and common sense to Troy and to America.”