When a candidate like Eric Conroy runs for Congress in 2026, the stakes are high:
The map is shifting (redistricting forthcoming), voter alignment is volatile, and incumbents are more vulnerable than ever. Into this environment steps Eric Conroy, a Cincinnati native, Air Force veteran, former CIA case officer, and now Republican challenger to Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman in Ohio’s 1st Congressional District.
Eric Conroy’s campaign rests on a blend of national security credentials, local roots, and a sweeping agenda on domestic priorities. But success will depend heavily on how well he translates his resume into tangible promise, and how effectively he navigates the rough waters of fundraising, media scrutiny, and district politics.
Roots & Resume: Who Is Eric Conroy?
Eric Conroy isn’t a political newcomer in the sense of being unknown, but he is relatively new in electoral politics. His narrative is rooted in service:
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He was raised in Cincinnati (on the city’s west side) and attended Elder High School.
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After the 9/11 attacks, Conroy attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, later served as an Air Force officer (Special Operations), and eventually joined the CIA as a case officer.
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He frames himself as someone whose “heart never left Cincinnati,” even when his work took him overseas.
These credentials allow him to speak credibly on national security, intelligence, and defense — issues that many candidates lack direct experience in. But they also carry inherent challenges: intelligence work is often classified, opaque, and subject to questions of transparency. So Conroy will need to walk a fine line between leveraging that experience and offering accountability.
The Strategic Terrain: The District & Redistricting
Ohio’s 1st Congressional District historically leaned Republican, but redistricting and demographic shifts have made it more competitive. In 2022, Democrat Greg Landsman defeated longtime Republican Steve Chabot in this district. Since then, Landsman secured re-election in 2024.
Because redistricting is due in Ohio in 2025, Eric Conroy’s campaign is operating under uncertainty: the boundaries of District 1 may shift. That uncertainty magnifies the importance of gaining early traction, building name recognition, and shaping narratives before lines are redrawn.
Launching the Campaign: Timing, Messaging & Media
Eric Conroy formally announced his candidacy in mid-2025. In doing so, he positioned his campaign in terms of urgency: “the threats we face abroad and the struggles families face here at home.” In media appearances and press statements, he has repeatedly attacked Landsman for being part of a “far-left agenda,” attempting to cast the incumbent as out of touch with Ohio values.
Key early media placements include:
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Fox News: promoting his background as Air Force and CIA, leveraging national exposure.
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WLWT (Cincinnati local news): emphasizing his local upbringing, his connection to Cincinnati, and presenting his bid to local voters.
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Press releases & campaign media page: the campaign is pushing both national and local coverage, including statements critiquing Landsman on issues like government shutdowns.
By combining local and national media, Eric Conroy is attempting a dual strategy: capturing the conservative base and grabbing broader attention while grounding himself in Cincinnati identity.
The Competition: Primary & General Election Landscape
A Republican Primary for Eric Conroy
Conroy is not running uncontested. According to Ballotpedia, he faces at least two Republican challengers: Steven Erbeck and Rosemary Oglesby-Henry in the May 2026 primary. The primary battle will test his organizational strength, fundraising, and ability to differentiate himself.
General Election Opponent
On the Democratic side, Greg Landsman is the incumbent and remains the front-runner. For 2026, Landsman is again running, and the Democratic primary also includes Lindsey Ferreira. In prior elections, Landsman has done well — his incumbency gives him structural advantages (name recognition, fundraising networks, staff, constituent services).
To unseat an incumbent, Conroy must not only consolidate support among Republicans but also make inroads into moderates, independents, and perhaps some Democrats dissatisfied with Landsman’s performance.
Eric Conroy’s Core Issues & Policy Emphasis
While I’ve already covered much of Eric Conroy’s issue positions in earlier drafts, here is how his platform is likely to work in the campaign and what challenges lie ahead.
1. Security & Defense / Foreign Policy
This is Conroy’s strongest terrain. His service background gives him legitimacy in discussing military readiness, national defense, intelligence matters, foreign intervention, and alliances. In debates, he can attempt to contrast competence and judgment over partisanship.
2. Public Safety / Law & Order
Given concerns over crime in urban America, Conroy leans into supporting law enforcement, opposing “defunding the police,” and measures to deter violent crime. These positions play well with conservative and moderate voters concerned about safety.
3. Border & Immigration
One of the more polarizing issues. Conroy promises strict enforcement, smarter technologies, and tighter control. But this area is also susceptible to critiques around humanitarian concerns, legal immigration, and balancing public perception.
4. Economy, Jobs, & Small Business
He presents himself as pro-growth: cutting red tape, lowering taxes, enabling small business vitality, and pushing infrastructure investments. In a region like Southwest Ohio, where mixed urban and industrial economies exist, these policies have resonance — but the real test is delivering a credible fiscal plan, not just rhetoric.
5. Crypto & Innovation
One of the more distinctive parts of his platform is championing regulation that supports blockchain, crypto, and financial innovation. This may help attract younger voters, tech entrepreneurs, or those dissatisfied with heavy regulatory frameworks. But crypto is currently volatile and controversial — he’ll need to map a realistic regulatory approach.
6. Social & Cultural Issues
Conroy is staking claims in culturally charged terrain, such as “Protecting Women’s Sports,” defending parental rights in education, and making conservative arguments on social policy. These issues energize the base but can alienate moderates if not framed carefully.
7. Social Security & Medicare
He pledges to protect existing beneficiaries and oppose benefit cuts. But with demographic pressures and budgetary constraints, voters will be looking for how he plans to maintain solvency, manage costs, and balance health care demands.
Campaign Strengths, Challenges, and Voter Perceptions
Eric Conroy enters the race with several attributes that could help him stand out in a crowded political field. His résumé — spanning military service, intelligence work, and Cincinnati roots — provides a distinctive combination of national and local experience. His background allows him to speak credibly about national security, defense, and foreign affairs, areas not often led by first-time candidates.
At the same time, his upbringing on Cincinnati’s West Side and education at Elder High School strengthen his hometown connection, which could help him appeal to voters who prioritize local representation. The campaign’s early media rollout has already emphasized those roots, often pairing his biography with his message about restoring “common sense” to Washington.
However, Conroy also faces several challenges that will likely shape voter perceptions in the months ahead. Because he has not previously held elected office, he must convince voters that his service experience can translate into effective legislative action on issues such as health care, infrastructure, and the economy. His intelligence background, while a point of distinction, may also invite scrutiny given the limited public visibility of that work.
Politically, Conroy’s emphasis on security, immigration, and cultural issues aligns him closely with mainstream conservative priorities. Supporters may see this as principled consistency, while opponents could frame it as out of step with moderate or independent voters in a politically mixed district. Fundraising and organization are additional factors to watch, as early filings show that the campaign is still in its growth phase.
Overall, Conroy’s candidacy presents a contrast between a newcomer with a decorated record of national service and an incumbent with established local governance experience. How voters interpret that contrast — as fresh leadership or untested ambition — will likely determine how competitive this race becomes.
What Voters Are Likely Watching
From the voter perspective, the following will be key bellwethers:
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Clarity and specificity: Are Conroy’s promises backed by credible numbers, trade-offs, and timelines?
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Contrast with Landsman: Can he articulate where Landsman has failed and where he would act differently — without appearing purely oppositional?
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Perceived authenticity: Does he genuinely connect with concerns of average Ohioans on roads, jobs, public safety, schools — or does he seem like a national policy guy?
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Responsiveness & transparency: How well does he respond under pressure (town halls, media interviews)? Does he explain his past in a way that maintains trust?
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Ground game effectiveness: Voter contact, mobilization, local campaign infrastructure will matter more than ad buys.
The Stakes & Implications
If Eric Conroy succeeds, it would represent a Republican flip in a district that has become more competitive in recent cycles. It also strengthens national signals: that veteran/intel candidates can succeed, that redrawn districts remain up for grabs, and that combining security credentials with a Domestic agenda is viable in swing zones.
If he falls short, it will serve as a caution about the limits of elite experience without local connection and the difficulty of unseating incumbents with entrenched campaigns.
In short: Conroy’s bid is ambitious, media-savvy, and built around powerful personal narrative. The real battle will be converting that momentum into votes — especially in a changing district, against a sitting incumbent, and under the spotlight of national scrutiny.