State Races

U.S. Representative DISTRICT 15

Rep. Steve Stivers is the incumbent candidate of Ohio’s 15th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Stivers, a Republican, has represented the district since 2011. Before that, he served in the Ohio Senate. Stivers previously served as the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which helps to elect Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as a brigadier general in the Ohio National Guard and active duty as a battalion commander in Iraq.

Stivers believes a Balanced Budget Amendment should be enacted to the Constitution. He has voted to repeal Obamacare 50 times and believes in "market-based reforms that lower costs and increase access to patients," according to his campaign website. Stivers considers himself a strong defender of the Second Amendment and a proud member of the NRA. He also wants to improve the country’s infrastructure, maintain a strong military and improve broadband access in rural Ohio regions.

Joel Newby is an attorney from Columbus who is challenging Stivers as the Democratic candidate. He was born in Pickaway County and attended Ohio University for his undergraduate studies. Newby supports establishing a single-payer healthcare system, rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and putting the U.S. in a direction to rely solely on clean energy by 2050. He also supports automatic voter registration and expanding the Voting Rights Act. In addition, he supports the Equal Rights Amendment, making broadband more accessible within the district, passing the Dream Act, reforming policing, eliminating tariffs that affect farmers and making higher education more accessible.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2016, 60.1% of eligble voters voted in the presidential election — the second highest rate in the last 50 years. The lowest U.S. election turnout in history was the election of 1792, when only 6.31% of eligible voters voted. Via USA Today

OHIO STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 30

Sen. Frank Hoagland, a Mingo Junction resident, is running as the Republican incumbent for the District 30 Ohio Senate race. Hoagland is a former Navy SEAL and served for 30 years before retiring in 2011. Hoagland served overseas in South America in the war on drugs, which he said formed his position on combating drug use. He now owns a small business that promotes emergency situation preparation. Hoagland is campaigning on increasing safety in schools, reducing business regulations and developing infrastructure.

Michael Fletcher is running as the Democratic candidate for the District 30 Ohio Senate. Fletcher, an Athens native, graduated from Ohio University. He was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Fletcher is still involved with scouting and assists area Boy Scout organizations. His platform is informed by his concerns as a parent and includes reducing standardized testing in schools, increasing access to higher education and developing infrastructure.

OHIO STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 94

Rep. Jay Edwards, a Nelsonville native, is running for a third term as the Republican incumbent for the District 94 Ohio House race. Edwards graduated from Nelsonville-York High School and attended Ohio University, where he played football and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Edwards emphasizes his Appalachian cultural heritage. He supports increasing vocational schooling in the region and combating the opioid epidemic. Edwards opposes gun control restrictions.

Katie O’Neill, a Nelsonville resident, is running as the Democratic candidate for the District 94 Ohio House. O’Neill attended Ohio University, for her bachelor’s degree in history and the environment, and Vermont Law School, where she received a master’s in energy regulation. O’Neill’s father is former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill. Her platform includes opposing fracking in the region, advocating for police reform and expanding vocational schooling opportunities.