Rob Zerban Believes Education is the Way to Move Country Forward

"Paul Ryan's budget and his priorities are out of whack with what is in the best interest of the First Congressional District," said Kenosha businessman Rob Zerban about why he's challenging Ryan next fall.

First, with so many job losses across the district, Zerban said the best thing Ryan could do is support President Barack Obama's jobs bill.

"About 80 percent of Americans want this jobs act to pass," he said. "But with Republicans blocking the legislation, most American's also view them as obstructionist and they're right."

Second, Zerban said Ryan's approach to the federal budget illustrates how he favors continuing to support tax breaks for big business and the wealthy. When an overwhelming majority of Americans say they want the Bush tax cuts to expire, Zerban wonders why Ryan doesn't also support that stance.

"Paul Ryan is out of touch with what his constituents are telling him," Zerban said.

More, he said residents need to look at how Ryan phrases things; for example, Zerban continued, Ryan says that investing in green energy is a loophole, but having a corporate jet is a tax-deductible benefit.

"The tax code, even with Paul Ryan's changes, will still primarily be for big corporations," he said. "Small businesses will never benefit from the country's tax code."

Third, Zerban said Ryan's values are clear based on his budget; converting Medicare to a voucher program and defunding education should prove to residents that Ryan does not have the interests of America's most vulnerable citizens at heart.

"Vice-president Joe Biden has a great quote where he says, 'Don't tell me your values and then show me your budget; show me your budget and I'll tell you your values,'" Zerban said. "Look at Paul Ryan's budget and it's clear his values are not going to do anything to help Americans prosper."

Medicare works well, he continued. "The majority of Americans are happy with the system and the choices they have so why are we worried about changing the way it works?"

Further, Zerban said he doesn't understand why Ryan wants to limit federal aid for education when education is the way to move the country forward.

"I grew up eating government cheese and free lunch," he said. "I got an education using Pell Grants and went on to start a successful business that employed 45 people. Helping Americans get an education and improve their lives is something that should not be reduced or eliminated."

Education is the ladder that provides access to the American Dream for everyone, not just the wealthy, and, Zerban said, it's good business sense.

"Investing in people is smart business," he stated. "Your greatest asset is also potentially your greatest liability, but as a business owner, I helped create a culture where I took care of them and they took care of me by doing their best work."

So far, Zerban is the first challenger to declare candidacy for Ryan's congressional seat. He said his campaign is starting to pick up steam even this early in the process, hiring Campaign Manager Lisa Tanner who just managed several successful runs in Kentucky.

"We're very much a grass-roots effort," he said. "I do plan to run ads, probably next fall, but right now we're getting out and meeting everyone we can," he said. "I want people to know that I am a reasonable alternative to Paul Ryan, and I'm going to stand on my record as a business owner and a county board supervisor."