Mark Zetzer

Mark Zetzer earned a high school diploma from Madison Heights High School and a bachelor's degree from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 1985. Zetzer's professional experience includes working as a field technician and land surveyor. He has also worked in marketing, advertising, and graphic design. Zetzer founded Grow Shaker. As of 2026, he was retired.[1][2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a retired private sector working man and family man. Born in Sandusky, OH, in 1963, I grew up in Anderson, Indiana, where my dad worked in a factory for General Motors. I graduated from Indiana University in 1985, and I worked in Chicago and New York City before settling down in Shaker Heights, Ohio, in the 1990’s.

I first got into politics as a school kid in the 1970’s, after watching my family’s living standard decline from inflation. I worked part time jobs to help out, and I joined my high school Young Republicans to help Ronald Reagan get elected president in 1980. I considered a career in public service, but I went to business school instead, confident that Reagan would lower inflation.

I pursued a career in marketing and advertising, got married, and raised a family. I did not return to politics until 2012, to organize against Shaker Heights tax levies. My campaigns to cut taxes and spending got me nominated for City Council, and as a Republican for U.S. Congress in OH-11. In 2016, I supported Donald Trump for president, but then lost my career, marriage, and house.

Donald Trump was the first private sector president, and his results-based policies helped me start my life over as a field surveyor. I moved to Geauga County in 2019 to escape high taxes, but Bidenflation and property tax hikes have spurred me back into political action. I am running for Congress again in 2026 to restore the blessings of liberty, which are abundance and human flourishing

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Republicans offer Americans more money and freedoms, but they don’t often deliver what they promise. To help the GOP win big in the 2026 midterm elections, I’m challenging all Republican representatives, senators, and candidates to sign a “Declaration 250,” a list of bills for Americans to keep and grow ‘their stuff’, instead of fighting over a shrinking supply of ‘other people’s stuff’, offered by Democrats. Inspired by Newt Gingrich’s 1994 “Contract With America,” this strategy won Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate, where they cut taxes and spending and balanced budgets, and helped create the longest period of general prosperity that I have ever experienced.My “Declaration 250” proposes these popular America First initiatives for individual independence: a nationwide repeal of property taxes; the replacement of the IRS with a 1% flat income tax; the end of inflation with the closure of the Federal Reserve Bank; the repayment of public debt through the sale of federal lands, stockpiles, buildings, structures, and other assets; the closure of federal bureaucracies that punish producers and stifle growth and innovation; a return of captured services to the private sector, to deliver affordable infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, charity, and business standards; the restoration of privacy and the introduction of blockchain transparency of all public spending and activity.My “Declaration 250” proposes these popular America First initiatives for individual security: defend our borders and deport all illegal aliens; send guest workers and foreign students back home, to open up jobs and degrees for American citizens; resume guest visas when unemployment drops to 0%, and workforce participation reaches 100%; restore Second Amendment rights to own any military weapon, and to form independent military units; withdraw from the United Nations and end all foreign aid; build a “Golden Dome” nuclear missile defense, and shield our grid from EMP attacks; enforce the Monroe Doctrine to protect the Western Hemisphere from Eastern aggression; fulfill American “Manifest Destiny”, from Greenland to the Panama Canal.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Federal monetary and regulatory policy has concerned me the most, since I started following politics as a teenager in 1976. My grandfather built a factory in Ohio and prospered, with only an 8th grade education. My father went to university, but he had to chase closing factories in 5 states to keep up. I earned a degree in business, but I have fallen behind as a Rust Belt wage slave and debt slave. Americans need falling living costs, lower taxes, limited government, and stable money. If elected to Congress, I will propose cuts in federal spending, taxes, and regulations that will restore liberty and abundance. I will defend our rights to individual Life, Liberty, Property, and the Pursuit of Happiness, first declared 250 years ago.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

None yet, but I am actively campaigning and submitting candidate surveys. Most Republicans who I have communicated with since announcing my exploratory committee in April, 2025, do not want to re-elect the incumbent Congressman, Dave Joyce.

Campaign websiteZetzer's campaign website stated the following:Mark Zetzer's Legislative Goals for CongressWin the midterm elections and make MAGA the law of the landTo help the GOP win big in the 2026 midterm elections, Mark is challenging all Republican representatives, senators, and candidates to sign his “Declaration 250,” a list of bills for Americans to keep and grow ‘their stuff’, instead of fighting over a shrinking supply of ‘other people’s stuff’, offered by Democrats. Inspired by Newt Gingrich’s 1994 “Contract With America,” this strategy won Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate, where they cut taxes and spending and balanced budgets, and helped create the longest period of general prosperity that Mark has ever experienced.Propose and pass "Declaration 250" domestic policies for individual American independenceMark Zetzer's “Declaration 250” proposes these popular America First initiatives for individual independence: a nationwide repeal of property taxes; the replacement of the IRS with a 1% flat income tax; the end of inflation with the closure of the Federal Reserve Bank; the repayment of public debt through the sale of federal lands, stockpiles, buildings, structures, and other assets; the closure of federal bureaucracies that punish producers and stifle growth and innovation; a return of captured services to the private sector, to deliver affordable infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, charity, and business standards; the restoration of privacy and the introduction of blockchain transparency of all public spending and activity. Propose and pass "Declaration 250" foreign policies for individual American securityMark Zetzer's “Declaration 250” proposes these popular America First initiatives for individual security: defend our borders and deport all illegal aliens; send guest workers and foreign students back home, to open up jobs and degrees for American citizens; resume guest visas when unemployment drops to 0%, and workforce participation reaches 100%; restore Second Amendment rights to own any military weapon, and to form independent military units; withdraw from the United Nations and end all foreign aid; build a “Golden Dome” nuclear missile defense, and shield our grid from EMP attacks; enforce the Monroe Doctrine to protect the Western Hemisphere from Eastern aggression; fulfill American “Manifest Destiny”, from Greenland to the Panama Canal. Restore Limited GovernmentFederal monetary and regulatory policy has concerned me the most, since I started following politics as a teenager in 1976. My grandfather built a factory in Ohio and prospered, with only an 8th grade education. My father went to university, but he had to chase closing factories in five states to keep up. I earned a degree in business, but I have fallen behind as a Rust Belt wage slave and debt slave. We need falling living costs, lower taxes, limited government, and stable money to Make America Great Again. If elected to Congress, I will propose cuts in federal spending, taxes, and regulations that will restore liberty and abundance. I will defend our rights to individual Life, Liberty, Property, and the Pursuit of Happiness, first declared 250 years ago.Strengthening Ohio's CommunitiesMark Zetzer is deeply committed to community building, understanding that meaningful change starts with people. Whether it's facilitating inclusive dialogue or empowering underrepresented voices, Mark ensures that everyone has a seat at the table.— Mark Zetzer's campaign website (April 24, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Mark Zetzer did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Zetzer submitted the following statement to [the profile publisher].[2]

I am a classic, Jeffersonian liberal who is fiscally conservative and socially tolerant.[5]