LEETONIA — Kevin Siembida is taking a leap of faith in November.

Currently the Leetonia village mayor, Siembida announced Monday that he is seeking to unseat Emilia Sykes from Ohio’s 13th Congressional seat.

Siembida, who was a U.S. Army paratrooper in the Middle East, defeated longtime Leetonia mayor Artie Altomare in November 2015 to earn that post.

After returning from military service, he earned a degree in political science and economics from Youngstown State University and entered public service.

A native of northeast Ohio, he was raised in a large working class family where he learned that service, faith and hardworking were core values.

He co-owns Siembida Brothers and Company LLC, a construction and remodeling company based out of Leetonia.

This background came in handy when the village built the Wurster Memorial Splash Pad in Leetonia, a community project that brought new families and economic activity into the first time in decades.

His father also had worked in construction, and his grandfather served in World War II along with being a steelworker.

Siembida said this shaped his understanding of work, responsibility and community.

“I grew up here. I worked here. I am raising my family here,” he explained. “I’ve watched too many towns in our region struggle while Washington politicians argue and do nothing. I’m running because this district needs someone who understands what northeast Ohio has been through and is willing to fight for its future.”

Previous representatives before Sykes, D-Akron, included Tim Ryan, D-Warren; Betty Sutton, D-Copley; and Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain.

The 13th District includes portions of Summit, Stark and Portage counties.

Currently, Sykes represents a constituency of more than 765,000 according to population stats, making it one of Ohio’s largest Congressional districts.

Siembida is running as a Republican.

Since the village of Leetonia is not part of the district, Siembida would have to vacate his mayor position and move to inside the district if elected.

When asked about this, he said that his wife is originally from Canton. “We have a lot of family in the district, so we will be looking at that,” Siembida added.

Siembida has a wife and two children.

Leetonia council members were unaware that he was contemplating this run, he acknowledged Monday night.

He explained that his decision to run for Congress was personal.

“This district has been hit hard by the loss of manufacturing, rising costs and policies that don’t reflect how people here actually live,” Siembida continued. “We need leadership that puts working families first, supports American industry, takes public safety seriously and holds Washington accountable.

His platform is one that promotes economic opportunity, public safety, supporting families and veterans as well as restoring trust between voters and elected officials.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com