SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
We reported from Ohio's 9th Congressional District to get a sense of voters' concern just before the midterm elections. Among those people we met in Bud's Diner - great Ohio apple pie, by the way - was Mike McCann, the Republican mayor of Defiance, Ohio, which is about an hour from Toledo. Mayor McCann joins us now. Mr. Mayor, thanks so much for being with us.
MIKE MCCANN: Thanks for having me on board.
SIMON: Tough week for Republicans. What's your reaction to the midterm results?
MCCANN: Well, I think it was a tough week for Republicans. When you analyze a little bit further, I think a lot of Republicans probably got what they may have been expecting. Certainly, the issues out there - higher gas prices that we talked about when you were in Defiance - I felt like the Democrats did a marvelous job of connecting data centers, which are a huge concern out there in the public - connecting the data centers to Republicans.
SIMON: Let me ask. Your fellow Ohioan - the vice president, JD Vance - says that the war in Iran was to blame for the losses. What do you think?
MCCANN: Well, there's no doubt about that as well. I felt that gas prices were definitely going to be an issue, and the war in Iran. And the only thing that seems way out of whack to me in the affordability side of things is indeed fuel costs, and those may well be temporary until we get this deal settled in Iran. And beef prices still kind of bug me. I like beef, but dang. It's expensive.
SIMON: Let me be blunt. President Trump helped or hurt the party?
MCCANN: You know, that's a good question. I'm hearing that he hurt the party, although, you know, the last two weeks, he was out there all day every day, campaigning for various candidates. But a lot of those candidates weren't elected. I mean, you look at what happened in - Michigan was a bit of a surprise. Texas was a bit of a surprise. And certainly here in Ohio was a surprise. Two years ago, when Trump was elected for his second term, Ohio was as red as you could get. So there's no doubt something happened.
SIMON: What should the Republican Party stand for in 2026 and the years to come?
MCCANN: Certainly, I think we want peace in the world. And whether we like it or not, in the United States, we are the world's peacekeeper. I believe we have to support our allies. I will be honest with you. I'm so focused on Defiance and what we're doing here in Defiance and, quite honestly, my family, I probably don't pay as much attention as to what's going on in the world as maybe I should. Locally, I would like to see them continue to cut our taxes. I would like to continue to pursue areas of fraud. What I hear happening up in Minnesota - at least what I hear on the news - concerns me a lot. I'm all for helping out the public, but let's do it honestly and make sure the money's going where the money should be going.
SIMON: Should Vice President Vance run for higher office?
MCCANN: You know, I've met Vice President Vance on several occasions. I like him. It's going to be interesting to see who all is out there. Certainly, Marco Rubio seems like a wonderful guy as well. I heard the Florida governor might be looking at that. And certainly great things have happened in the state of Florida, and it's one of the few states after Tuesday that still appears to be a red state.
SIMON: I understand you face a big decision.
MCCANN: (Laughter).
SIMON: And, you know, I think America wants to know Mayor McCann.
MCCANN: Well, I won't be running for president. That's for sure.
SIMON: Oh. What about reelection as mayor of Defiance, though?
MCCANN: Wednesday morning at about 5 a.m., I walked into the bathroom. And my wife was getting ready to go to work, and I was about to get ready to go to work. And she looked me square in the eye and said, well, Mr. Mayor, are you going to call it quits? Or are you going to fight, fight, fight? And I said, are you challenging me, honey? But I think, at this point, in spite of the fact I'm 69 years old, the fight-fight-fight in me is still alive and well. And I believe over the weekend, I will print the forms that I need to fill out and get signatures to file to be back on the ballot in 2027 to be Defiance's mayor.
SIMON: But I've got to ask a question. President Trump called you up and said, Mayor McCann, I want to come there and campaign for you. What would you say now?
MCCANN: First of all, I think we both know he'd never do that. I - you know, I don't need anybody's help, Scott. I've never really accepted outside campaign contributions. I just spent my own money on my campaign - took a little bit from my dad. Other than that, I find just getting out there and meeting with the public, going door to door and campaigning, is all the campaigning Defiance needs.
SIMON: Mayor Mike McCann of Defiance, Ohio. Thanks so much for speaking with us.
MCCANN: Come see us again, Scott. We'd love to have you visit with us. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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