Rich Iott

Iott is the son of grocers Wallace "Wally" Iott and Jeanette Iott of Toledo, Ohio.{{cite news|url=http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/09/28/news/doc4ca2806eabf01030961102.txt|title=Rich Iott profile|date=2010-09-28|accessdate=2010-10-10|publisher=Morning Journal}} He attended parochial grade school and graduated from Sylvania High School (now Northview) in 1969. Iott wanted to enlist in the military during the Vietnam War era, but was refused due to a heart murmur. He attended Hillsdale College, but did not graduate.

He worked in the family grocery business, which grew to be the Seaway Food Town regional chain of 75 supermarkets and drug stores. He started out in clerk jobs in 1966 then moved up into management,{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17966978.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215074542/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17966978.html|url-status = dead|archive-date=2011-02-15|title=Richard B. Iott Appointed CEO Of Seaway Food Town |publisher=PR Newswire|date=1996-01-04|accessdate=2010-11-12}} becoming the President of the corporation in 1989. He was CEO from 1996 until the business was merged with Spartan Stores in 2000.{{cite web|url=http://voteiott.com/about/|title=About Rich Iott}}

Since leaving the grocery business, Iott has become involved with start-up companies, ranging from 3D imaging to salsa making. He is also a filmmaker, producing over thirty feature films,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm20853061/|title="Rich Iott" on IMDB|website=IMDb}} mainly as an executive producer, between 2007 and the present, including films for the SyFy Channel, Lifetime Channel, a 3D family film Call of the Wild{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1192620/|title=Call of the Wild 3D on IMDB|website=IMDb}} and the multiple award-winning {{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1533013/awards?ref_=tt_awd|title=Awards and nominations for "Beautiful Boy" on IMDB|website=IMDb}} Beautiful Boy starring Michael Sheen and Maria Bello.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1503013/|title=Cast and Crew for "Beautiful Boy" on IMDB|website=IMDb}} He was co-founder of Toledo's Black Swamp International Film Festival in 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090913/ART10/909139991/-1/ART13 |title=Toledo's Black Swamp International Film Festival debuts |publisher=The Toledo Blade |author=Kirt Baird |date=2009-09-13 |accessdate=2010-10-12}} and is also a member of the Producers Guild of America{{cite web|url=http://www.sonstudios.org/governance/|title= About Us: Board of Trustees, SON Studios}} (PGA).

Beginning in 1982, Iott served in the Ohio Military Reserve{{cite web|url=http://www.morningjournal.com/article/MJ/20100928/NEWS/309289962/|title="Rich Iott profile"|date=2010-09-28|publisher= The (Lorain) Morning Journal}} (OHMR), a State Defense Force that is trained to provide logistics and resource support during disasters or threats to homeland security.{{cite news|url=http://www.toledofreepress.com/2010/10/11/iott-blamed-kaptur-for-leaking-nazi-photos-during-debate|title=Iott blames Kaptur for leaking 'Nazi' photos|author= Kristen Rapin|date=2010-10-11|publisher=The Toledo Free Press}}{{cite news|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/02/24/loc_ohioreserve24.html|title=Ohio Military Reserve needs a few good recruits|author=Howard Wilkinson|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer|date=2003-02-24|accessdate=2010-10-12}} Iott is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and General Staff College and the United States Air Force Air War College. He also holds a parachutist rating from both the Israeli Defense Force and the Army of The Netherlands. He retired at the rank of Colonel in April 2016 after more than 32 years of service. His last assignment was as the Deputy Commander of the OHMR.{{cite news|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20101009/NEWS16/101009548/-1/RSS |title=Iott's Nazi re-enactments gain national attention|author=Mark Zaborney and Tom Troy|publisher=The Toledo Blade|date=2010-10-09|accessdate=2010-10-10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ohmr.ohio.gov/|title=Ohio Military Reserve Home Page}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sgaus.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/SDF-Times-Spring-2016.pdf/|title="State Defense Force Times", page 28|publisher=State Guard Association of the United States}} Iott is the recipient of the State of Ohio Distinguished Service Medal.

Iott has been on numerous community boards over the years including the Toledo Zoo, the Toledo Chamber of Commerce, St. Ursula Academy, St. John's Jesuit, Erie Shores Council of the Boy Scouts, and St. Luke's Hospital. He was Chairman of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants.{{cite web|url=http://www.sba-list.org/endorsed-candidates/rich-iott-ohios-9th-district |title=Endorsed Candidates: Rich Iott, Ohio's 9th District |publisher=SBA-List|date=2010-07-13 |accessdate=2010-10-13}} As president of the Iott Foundation, Iott funded the construction of a three-story expansion of St. Ursula's all-girls Catholic high school in 2006;{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20060622/NEWS04/606220301 |title=2 Catholic schools plan to expand: St. Ursula gets donation |publisher=The Toledo Blade |date=2006-06-22 |accessdate=2010-10-13}} The Iott Center at St. John's Jesuit, an all-boys Catholic high school in 2009,{{cite web|url=http://www.sjjtitans.org/page.aspx?pid=418|title= St. John's Jesuit announces opening of The Iott Resource Center}} and the Iott Scout Shop at the new Erie Shores Council, B.S.A. headquarters in 2013.{{Cite web|url = https://www.erieshorescouncil.org/iott|title = Erie Shores Council, The Iott Scout Shop|date = |accessdate = Sep 23, 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}

{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2010#District 9}}

Iott began his run for Congress as an independent, announcing his candidacy in late January 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/01/13/news/mj2144870.txt|title=Toledo-area businessman running for 9th District seat|author=Morning Journal Staff|publisher=Morning Journal|date=2010-01-10|accessdate=2010-10-10}} Of his lack of political experience, Iott said, "That is exactly my qualification," and, "I am not a politician, never have been, and don't intend to become one." Following complaints by members of the Tea Party movement that having a conservative independent and a conservative Republican on the November ballot would split the vote, Iott dropped his independent candidacy and ran in the Republican primary against Jack Smith, a retired Toledo police chief and Vietnam veteran.{{cite web|url=http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/04/22/opinion/mj2631954.txt|title=Our View Endorsement: Straight-talking Smith best GOP choice to face Kaptur in 9th District|date=2010-04-22|publisher=Morning Journal}}{{cite news|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20100129/NEWS09/1290346|title=Iott won't run as independent: Businessman eyes GOP nomination|author=Tom Troy|date=2010-01-29|publisher=The Toledo Blade}} Iott defeated Smith on May 4, with 12,668 votes to Smith's 4,729.{{cite news|url=http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/05/05/news/mj2695151.txt|title=ELECTION: Kaptur, Iott, Swartz advance to November's 9th Congressional District election|author=Richard Payerchin |date=2010-05-05|accessdate=2010-10-10}}

Iott's opponent in the general election was Democratic nominee Marcy Kaptur; initially Libertarian candidate Jeremy D. Swartz who withdrew so the Libertarian Party of Ohio replaced him by appointing Joseph Michael Jaffe. Several media outlets described Iott as a Tea Party favorite.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/10/10/2010-10-10_gop_hopeful_rich_iott_slammed_for_being_photographed_in_nazi_uniform_defends_sel.html|title=GOP hopeful Rich Iott slammed for being photographed in Nazi uniform, defends self as history buff|author=Meena Hartenstein|work=New York Daily News|date=2010-10-10|accessdate=2010-10-12}} His campaign was largely self-financed, with $823,100 in loan contributions coming from Iott as of June 30, 2010.[http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=OH09&cycle=2010 2010 Race: Ohio District 09], OpenSecrets.org, June 30, 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch//HSRefreshCandList.do |title=2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Ohio |publisher=FEC.gov |date=2010-06-30|accessdate=2010-10-12}} As of September 30, Iott had raised and spent $1.5 million, with approximately $1.4 million in candidate self-financing through loans.{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=OH09&cycle=2010|title=Open Secrets Record Summary, Rich Iott| accessdate= 2010-10-19}}

Iott lost the election to incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur by 35,822 votes.{{cite web |url=http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/11/03/news/erie_huron/doc4cd0e9ceb4a0e585921307.txt |title=Marcy Kaptur beats Rich Iott, retains 9th House District seat - morningjournal.com |website=www.morningjournal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303030950/http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/11/03/news/erie_huron/doc4cd0e9ceb4a0e585921307.txt |archive-date=2012-03-03}} He won Ottawa and Lorain counties, split Erie county and lost Lucas county. This represented a 59%-41% victory.

The Marcy Kaptur Campaign maintained that Iott was unfit for office because he had "run the company into the ground", "took the money and ran", and put "5,000 people out of work". This was promoted through an intense television, radio, newspaper, and social media campaign, with the assistance of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union local.{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2010/09/17/Democrats-step-up-Iott-attacks.html|title=Democrats (and UFCW) Step Up Iott Attacks}} Reporters Lara Seligman, Michael Morse and Eugene Kiely of FactCheck.Org released a well researched story on September 17, 2010, which stated that the allegations were all false and misleading.{{cite web|url=http://www.factcheck.org/2010/09/who-killed-food-town/|title=Who Killed Food Town|date=17 September 2010}}

The article said "the company prospered during the years that Rich Iott served as president and CEO, from 1996 to 2000. In July 1999, the company reported its best ever third-quarter financial results. During the fiscal 1999 third quarter, the company reported that sales increased 8.3 percent to $167.3 million, up from $154.6 million the year before. The company opened three new stores between 1998 and 1999."

In October 1999, the Cleveland Plain Dealer described Seaway Food Town as a "well run" hometown grocery store that would be attractive to larger companies at a time when the industry was consolidating. "In the last six months, the company's stock has jumped 130 percent, coming off a fiscal year that saw earnings jump 8 percent to $167.3 million. And from 1994 to 1998, earnings catapulted 300 percent on revenues that increased only 14 percent during the same period."{{cite web|url=http://search.cleveland.com/Seaway+Food+Town+%2B+Oct+3%2C+1999/1/all/?date_range=all|title=Cleveland Plain Dealer, Oct 3, 1999}}

FactCheck.Org goes on to say it was "wrong to blame Iott for "closing our neighborhood stores," and it goes too far in blaming him for "costing 5,000 people their jobs." Although he was a major player in the decision to merge Food Town with Spartan Stores, there is no evidence that he was involved in the decisions to close Food Town stores. In the end, the ad's summary charge — that Iott "doesn't create jobs, he sells them off" — misrepresents what happened to Food Town and its employees, and who was responsible for it." Spartan did not close the stores until 2003 - three years after Iott had left the company.

The Toledo Blade, the local newspaper, also drew the same conclusions, giving Representative Kaptur the chance to recant or revise her allegations. She chose, instead, to stand by her statements.{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2012/03/08/Kaptur-ads-aggressive-in-beating-Kucinich.html/|title=Kaptur Ads Aggressive}}{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2010/09/22/lt-br-gt-Records-check-contradicts-Kaptur-s-ad-on-Iott-s-Food-Town-role.html|title=Records Check Contradicts Kaptur's Claims on Iott's Food Town Role}}

Iott received national media attention in October 2010 when it was reported in The Atlantic that he was a member of a Waffen-SS reenactment group that portrays the German SS Division Wiking (German for 'Viking'). The Atlantic also published two pictures of Iott dressed as an SS man that were replicated virally on the internet and by other news sources.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/why-is-this-gop-house-candidate-dressed-as-a-nazi/64319/|title=Why Is This GOP House Candidate Dressed as a Nazi?|author=Joshua Green|publisher=The Atlantic|date=October 8, 2010|accessdate=2010-10-10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wiking.org/|title=Wiking Home Page|accessdate=2010-10-12}} Iott told The Atlantic that his interest was historical and that he absolutely does not agree with the tenets of Nazism. He said he joined because reenactments were a hobby and a father-son bonding experience, and that he has participated in a range of reenactments over the years including as a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War, and as American soldiers in World War I and II. Iott's campaign said the candidate had not engaged in any reenactments for about five years.

According to the Toledo Free Press, Iott joined the group in 2002 and was listed on the membership rolls through 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.toledofreepress.com/2010/10/09/iott-participation-in-military-re-enactments-raising-questions/|title=Ludeman, Waniewski support Iott in wake of 'Nazi' controversy|author=Toledo Free Press Staff Writers|date=2010-10-09|publisher=Toledo Free Press}} In response to the ensuing criticism, Iott said he never intended disrespect towards anyone through his reenactments,{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/10/congressional-candidate-nazi-enactment-past/|title=Congressional Candidate Under Fire for Nazi Re-Enactment Past|author=Fox News staff|publisher=FoxNews.com|date=2010-10-10|accessdate=2010-10-11}} and later said the story was a coordinated character assassination attempt by his opponent to distract from the issues. Swastikas were found painted on several of Iott's campaign lawn signs on October 13, 2010, with Iott accusing the Kaptur campaign of "inciting these hateful actions".{{cite news|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20101013/NEWS09/10120333|title=Swastikas deface Iott campaign placards|author=Tom Troy|publisher=The Toledo Blade|date=2010-10-13|accessdate=2010-10-13}}

A Holocaust survivors' group said that Iott's wearing of the SS uniform was "disgraceful", and the Republican Jewish Coalition called Iott unfit for office.{{cite news|url=http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/10/10/2741212/gathering-slams-gop-ss-re-enactor-as-shameful|title=Survivors' group, Cantor repudiate GOP SS reenactor|author=JTA staff|publisher=JTA Global News Service|agency=JTA|date=2010-10-10|accessdate=2010-10-13}} A local rabbi predicted the reaction would be negative and would not be limited to Jewish people.{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/news.aspx/139987|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013164123/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/139987|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 13, 2010|title=Ohio Congressional Candidate Was Nazi Re-enacter|author=Chana Ya'ar|date=2010-10-10|publisher=Arutz Sheva}} The JTA News Service noted that Iott had not apologized. Some Republican leaders distanced themselves from Iott in the wake of the controversy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11511574|title=US Republican candidate Rich Iott in Nazi uniform row|date=2010-10-10|publisher=BBC News}} House Republican whip Eric Cantor, who is Jewish, told Fox News that he repudiated and did not support Iott's actions. The National Republican Congressional Committee removed Iott from its website list of preferred "contenders".{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026057.php|title=GOP Pretends Not To Know Rich Iott|author=Steve Benen |author-link=Steve Benen|publisher=Washington Monthly|date=2010-10-10}} A Jewish friend and movie business partner of Iott offered a defense, calling Iott one of the most pro Jewish and pro Israel people he knows.{{cite web|url=http://voteiott.com/2010/10/from-richard-gabai/|title=Below is a statement from Richard Gabai, a friend of Rich Iott and his family|date=2010-10-11|accessdate=2010-10-13}} Toledo City Councilman Rob Ludeman said he was not withdrawing his support of Iott because of one incident in the past.{{cite news|url=http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=13303168|title=Ohio Democratic Party Chairman wants Iott to apologize for Nazi pics|date=2010-10-11|author=Dick Berry|publisher=WTOl|location=Toledo|accessdate=2010-10-13}} The Lucas County GOP chief continued to back Iott, emphasizing that the county Republican Party organization did not condone Nazis, and adding the claim that this was nothing more than politically motivated mudslinging and an attempt to split the party.{{cite news|url=http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101011/NEWS09/101019930|author=Blade Staff|title=County GOP chief still backs Iott|publisher=The Toledo Blade|date=2010-10-11|accessdate=2010-10-13}} U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner continued to solicit funds for Iott's campaign through his Freedom Project PAC.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43755.html|title=Boehner still backs Iott after Nazi flap|author=Jonathan Allen|publisher=Politico|date=2010-10-18}} A Freedom Project spokesman said Boehner was not concerned about the reenactments turning off voters or donors.

The pro-life Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund endorsed Iott on July 13, saying he would be a supporter of pro-life issues.{{cite web|url=http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/2635814386.html|title=SBA List Endorses Rich Iott for Congress in Ohio's 9th District|author=Kerry Brown|date=2010-07-23|agency=Christian Newswire Staff|publisher=The Christian Newswire|accessdate=2010-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121095820/http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/2635814386.html|archive-date=November 21, 2010|url-status=live}} The political action committee of the National Federation of Independent Business endorsed Iott on September 23, based on Iott's positions on health care, taxes, and regulation.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfib.com/press-media/press-media-item?cmsid=54697|title=Small Business Endorses Rich Iott for Congress|publisher=NFIB|author=News Release|date=2010-09-23|access-date=2010-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717054638/http://www.nfib.com/press-media/press-media-item?cmsid=54697|archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=dead}} The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (the lobbying arm of the Citizens Against Government Waste) endorsed Iott on October 6, saying he had signed the PAC's "No Pork Pledge" and was committed to fiscal conservatism, cutting taxes, and reducing the size of government.{{cite news|url=http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4562337|title=CCAGW PAC Endorses Rep. Jordan and Challenger Rich Iott for Congress|agency=Business Wire|date=2010-10-06|accessdate=2010-10-10|publisher=iStockAnalyst|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322115000/http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4562337|archive-date=March 22, 2012|url-status=dead}} Other endorsements came from the Change the Congress in 2010 PAC{{cite web|url=http://www.changethecongressin2010.com/html/links.html|title=Change the Congress in 2010 Endorsements|accessdate=2010-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521043604/http://www.changethecongressin2010.com/html/links.html|archive-date=May 21, 2010|url-status=dead}} and the Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund which gave him a grade of A.{{cite web|url=http://www.goapvf.org/index.php/rich-iott-for-congress.htm|title=2010 Voter Guide, Ohio Candidates|publisher=Gun Owners of America PVF|accessdate=2010-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923103336/http://www.goapvf.org/index.php/rich-iott-for-congress.htm|archive-date=September 23, 2010|url-status=dead}} Iott received a grade AQ from the NRA Political Victory Fund, which is an A based on how he answered the NRA's questionnaire,{{cite web|url=http://www.nrapvf.org/upcoming-elections/Ohio.aspx|title=NRA Grades and Endorsements|date=2010-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008143110/http://www.nrapvf.org/upcoming-elections/Ohio.aspx|archive-date=October 8, 2010|url-status=dead}}

According to his campaign website, as a candidate Iott advanced these political positions in 2010:{{cite web|url=http://voteiott.com/issues/|title=Issues, Rich Iott for Congress|publisher=Campaign website|accessdate=2010-10-10| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101014222236/http://voteiott.com/issues/|archivedate=2010-10-14}}

• He stated he would vote to repeal the 2010 health care reform legislation because he believes it is unconstitutional, a "job killer", and will lead to rationing. He stated he would vote for tort reform and would vote to make it possible for people to buy insurance across state lines.
• He opposes the cap and trade energy bill and is in favor of market-driven solutions to energy problems.
• He believes the government bailouts were unconstitutional, a waste of taxpayer money, and a violation of free market principles.
• He pledged never to ask for earmarks when elected to Congress.
• He believes the Social Security system needs to be reformed, but does not believe in privatizing it, increasing the retirement age, changing recipients' benefits, or raising taxes.
• He believes in sealing the borders and deporting all illegal immigrants who come to the attention of law enforcement, and supports Arizona's controversial immigration legislation, Arizona SB 1070.
• He believes that the Iraq War was a success, and supports an escalation of the War in Afghanistan.
• He supports America's participation in international free trade agreements.
• He believes that same-sex marriage is immoral but that making it illegal is a civil violation of equal rights.
• He supports Israel's right to self-defense and says America has an obligation to support it; he opposes a Palestinian state formed by taking land from Israel and a divided Jerusalem, and believes that the UN has become irrelevant.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.richiottpolitics.com/ Rich Iott] official site
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=120660 | fec=H0OH09092 | congress= }}
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=OH09&cycle=2010 Financial information] at OpenSecrets.org
• [http://www.factcheck.org/tag/richard-iott/ Rich Iott] on FactCheck.org
• {{IMDb name|2085306}}
• [http://www.richiottblog.com Rich Iott] official blog site
• [http://www.richiottentertainment.com Rich Iott] Rich Iott Entertainment site
• [http://www.spoke.com/people/rich-iott-4f5468303ae4b27e7900d6ef Rich Iott] Rich Iott On Spoke

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Category:Living people

Category:1951 births

Category:American food industry business executives

Category:Ohio Republicans

Category:Politicians from Toledo, Ohio

Category:Catholics from Ohio