A deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is quitting her job to mount a bid to become a member of Congress.
Madison Sheahan, 28, announced Thursday she’s resigning to launch a congressional bid in Ohio’s 9th District, challenging Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who’s held the seat since 1983, Notus reported.
In a campaign video, Sheahan branded herself a “Trump conservative” who is “tired of watching my hard-working family, friends and neighbors pay more and get ignored.” She declared: “Real change means real leadership, and I’ve done it before.”
Sheahan’s timing is notable, as she’s bolting from ICE as the agency faces immense scrutiny over officer-involved shootings this week that left 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother Renee Nicole Good dead and at least three others injured.
Despite new polling showing a plurality of Americans now want to abolish ICE, Sheahan is leaning into her immigration enforcement record.
“In less than one year at ICE, I’ve stopped more illegal immigration than Marcy Kaptur has in her 43 years in Washington,” Sheahan proclaimed in her campaign announcement video. “When the call came to help President Trump clean up the dangerous immigration mess as deputy director of ICE, I answered the call.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blessed her deputy’s decision, saying Sheahan “will be a great defender of freedom when she goes to Congress.”
Sheahan faces a crowded Republican primary with five other candidates, including four-term state Rep. Derek Merrin, who quipped about welcoming Ohio’s “new resident” to the race.
“We hope she decides to stay in Ohio for the general election to vote for Derek to defeat Marcy Kaptur,” a spokesperson for his campaign told the outlet.
Kaptur, who serves on the powerful Budget and Appropriations committees, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Her seat is considered vulnerable, as she’s one of just 13 House Democrats in districts Trump won in 2024.
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