Civibus

Biography

Marcia Carolyn Kaptur ( KAP-tər; born June 17, 1946) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 9th congressional district since 1983. Her district stretches across northwestern Ohio along the southern shore of Lake Erie and includes parts of Toledo and surrounding communities. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Kaptur earned a degree in history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan. Before her election to Congress, she worked as an urban planner in Toledo and served as a domestic policy advisor on urban affairs in the Jimmy Carter administration. Kaptur serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees and introduced legislation which established the National World War II Memorial. She is considered an economic populist, having opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement and other free trade agreements, as well as having voted against the federal bailout of major banks during the 2008 financial crisis. Kaptur was first elected to Congress in 1982. She was most recently re-elected in 2024 with 48.29% of the vote. She is the longest-serving woman in congressional history and has served as the dean of Ohio's congressional delegation since 2009.

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