Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich said he's focused on serving out the remainder of his term following a Democratic primary loss against fellow Rep. Marcy Kaptur on Tuesday night.
After an occasionally contentious battle between the two veteran lawmakers in Ohio's redrawn 9th congressional district, Kucinich declined to speculate as to what his plans might be after leaving Congress.
“Up until yesterday, I was focused on the election and that was it,” Kucinich said. “When I get on that plane, this campaign is behind me. What's ahead of me is continued public service.”
“You're looking at someone with zero regrets,” Kucinichcontinued. “I can stand here with the certitude that my service to this community has been impeccable. And at the same time, I'm looking forward to continuing to serve.”
Kucinich, who was first elected to a Cleveland-area district in 1997, said that he and Kaptur, who was elected from a Toledo-based district in 1983, have been “friends for 30 years." But he decried the negative tone of his opponent's campaign. Kucinich said that his campaign had “integrity” and noted that in the areas of the redrawn district he had previously represented he beat Kaptur with 75 percent of the vote.
“What I do have a problem with is a candidate who openly distorted the truth,” Kucinich said. “Don't come to this community with a bucket of mud on one day and then come back the next day with a bouquet of flowers. It's not fair to the people.”
He continued: “Our politics have to be lifted up. They don't belong in the gutter. And that's not where I come from.”
The two-time Democratic presidential candidate hinted that he will continue to serve his community after his term is up.
“Whenever I get involved in things, it changes the outcome,” Kucinich said. “I'm still around. You don't always need an office to do that by the way.”
