Aaron Dagres

Aaron Dagres was a Democratic candidate in the 2008 congressional elections for the 12th Congressional District (map) of Ohio. He was seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH). The primary will take place in May 2008.

Reasons for running
Dagres, according to his Web site, believes "the future of our children depends on change." He said parents today should "stand up" and work to "provide the youth of this country with a better tomorrow."

Dagres has pledged to work toward secure health insurance for every child in the country, and to later cover every American in need of health insurance.

He also said he is "dedicated to ending this war in Iraq and bringing home our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters immediately." Dagres has also made veterans' issues a platform, and would prepare a support system to adequately assist veterans returning from combat: "Unfortunately [the support structures]] simply do not exist; the time has come to properly fund Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We must have a strong veterans program in place for those men and women whom honorably served defending our freedom. |undefined"

In addition, the candidate indicated the country should end its dependency on foreign oil: "We cannot for the sake of national security continue down our current path it is time we put forth significant efforts to move towards alternate fuel sources."

Bio
Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Dagres is the son of a retired steel worker. According to his Web site, Dagres said his first exposure to politics was "off and on the picket line." "I remember the overwhelming community support when my father would be on strike and it gives me great hope and pride in the people of this country to do what is right."

Dagres joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, where he spent the five years traveling the country and world. He served as a member of the Nato peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Dagres called "the most life changing experience for me while in the Armed services." On his Web site, he said "it was a wonderful insight into the role our dedicated men and women play on a global scale."

After leaving military service Dagres enrolled at Youngstown State University, where he studied political science and economics and volunteered with several campaigns in the Mahoning County area. In addition, he met his ex-wife and the mother of his son Anthony: "Unfortunately the marriage was short lived and in the interest of my son it was ended. I suddenly found myself a full time student, worker, and single father with full custody of an infant son. The struggle of single parenting is one that I share with so many Americans face in this day and age."

Dagres said his son was an "absolute blessing," and "one of the major reasons why I have thrown my hat into the race" for the 12th Congressional District.

2008 elections
Dagres was seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH) in the 2008 congressional elections. He lost in primary elections which took place on March 4, 2008.

Committees
Dagres will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

Contact
Official Dagres for Congress Web site

Dagres For Congress 10 A Danielle Dr. Newark,OH 43055

[mailto:dagres4congress@yahoo.com dagres4congress@yahoo.com]

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:Ohio and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Ohio’s 12th Congressional District
 * FEC filing for Aaron Dagres