YOUNGSTOWN - A Youngstown businessman has announced his candidacy for Ohio's 58th District.

Brandon Kovach will be looking to represent Ohio's 58th District, which is currently represented by Democrat Lauren McNally, who is now seeking the role of Mahoning County Commissioner.

Kovach says he is running as an Independent, citing fundamental disagreements with both political parties and describing himself as "fiscally conservative, but socially liberal."

"I didn't leave the party - the party left me. Both parties are now controlled by massive private interests, and you cannot serve the people while serving corporate masters," Kovach said in a press release.

On the issues, Kovach went on to say he wants Ohio taxpayers' dollars to stay in Ohio.

"It doesn't matter where the money is going - I don't want Ohio tax dollars going to Pennsylvania, Israel or anywhere else," Kovach said.

Furthermore, Kovach describes himself as pro-choice and says abortion and reproductive freedoms are "core issues" in his campaign.

"I have sisters, and I want them to know that if any of them ever needed a medically necessary abortion, they would have access to it. I cannot and will not sit silently as the only pro-choice candidate in this race," Kovach said.

Kovach went on to say he has a plan to eliminate property taxes without raising other taxes on Ohioans, emphasizing that the proposal must be carefully implemented to avoid any unintended consequences.

Kovach describes his plan as "Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump combined."

He explained that Ohio does not have a corporate tax rate, while all of its surrounding states do. For example, Pennsylvania has a 10% corporate tax rate. 

Kovach is proposing that Ohio implement a corporate tax rate on businesses in Ohio operating from out of state that earn more than $1 million per year, such as Walmart and Amazon. Kovach says the corporate tax could fund the services currently paid for by property taxes.

Kovach says this tax will not apply to businesses based in Ohio, and that out-of-state companies can avoid the tax by moving their operations to Ohio.

According to the release, other issues important to Kovach include:

- Protecting and strengthening labor unions

- Fixing Ohio's education funding system

- Closing the term limit loophole

- Banning elected officials from owning individual stocks, including Congress members from Ohio

Kovach has owned and operated more than 40 businesses and employed thousands of people throughout his career, primarily in Ohio. He currently serves as President of Cornerstone Capital, an insurance and investment services firm.

Kovach also oversees Cornerstone Capital's charity and non-profit division.