Marcy Kaptur

Marcy Kaptur, D, OH-09, is the longest-serving woman in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives. She was elected in 1982 when she ran for the open seat in Ohio's 9th district. A native of Toledo, Kaptur still lives in the same modest house where she grew up.

Born into a working-class family, Kaptur attended the University of Wisconsin where she earned a degree in history. She later earned a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan.

Kaptur worked for 15 years as a city and regional planner, then was appointed as a domestic policy adviser to President Jimmy Carter. During Carter’s administration, she helped maneuver 17 housing and neighborhood revitalization bills through Congress.

In her first campaign for Congress, Kaptur emphasized her background in urban planning and her commitment to issues like job creation, affordable housing, and environmental protection.

In Congress, Kaptur has been a stalwart advocate for the Midwest's manufacturing sector and working-class communities. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, she has worked to secure funding for infrastructure projects, support the auto industry, and protect the Great Lakes.

Kaptur has also been a leading voice on trade policy, opposing trade agreements that she believes harm American workers. She has pushed for policies to enforce labor and environmental standards, crack down on currency manipulation, and invest in domestic manufacturing.

Throughout her career, Kaptur has maintained a deep commitment to her district and its people. She is known for her accessibility and her willingness to fight for the needs of constituents.