A Canfield business owner officially announced his candidacy to represent Ohio's 6th District in U.S. Congress on Monday, according to a news release.

Sean Connolly, owner of a tattoo shop in Canfield, is using this announcement to share his efforts to stand up for working and middle-class families who "feel left behind by a system that no longer works for them," the release states.

“The best ideas don’t come from closed-off political circles; they come from us, the community," Connolly said. "We've been failed by both parties. It's time for something different."

According to the release, Connolly is a lifelong Ohioan and grew up working at a local business before teaching himself the trade of tattooing and building a small business of his own. Today, the release states that his business supports four other artists and their families. 

“Growing up in Ohio, I was raised on the promise that anyone willing to work hard should have a fair shot at a good life," Connolly said. "A decent living. Dignity. That's the heart of the American Dream. But every day, it feels like that dream gets chipped away from working people."

Connolly's statements went on to say that his campaign is focused on emphasizing putting working families first, rooted in community engagement and listening to the people of Ohio's 6th District. 

“Ohio is the heart of this country," he said. "Together, we can stand up to a system that has beaten down working and middle-class families and build a future that puts people first."