Ohio voters made their voices heard on Election Night. Throughout this election cycle, Ohio Citizen Action staff and volunteers knocked on more than 400,000 doors, talking with Ohioans about the issues that hit closest to home: rising utility bills, a statehouse shaped by corruption, and the freedom to vote. Voters did their homework, and they showed up.
Dr. Amy Acton’s victory sends a clear message that Ohioans are ready to restore trust in state government. Acton ran on a platform that included cracking down on the Statehouse corruption that lets special interests write our energy laws. She committed to making Ohio more affordable by tackling utility bills, housing, and health care costs. She has pledged to restore the energy efficiency programs cut in the House Bill 6 bribery scandal and to keep Ohio’s energy dollars in Ohio.
“Ohioans chose a governor who puts people over politics,” said Rachael Belz, CEO of Ohio Citizen Action. “For years, families have paid the price for a Statehouse that answers to utilities and special interests. Governor-elect Acton has promised to change that, and we look forward to working with her to lower energy costs and clean up Ohio.”
Sherrod Brown’s return to the U.S. Senate means Ohio once again has a Senator who answers to voters, not donors. Over two decades, Brown opposed the trade deals that hollowed out Ohio manufacturing, fought for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, restored Social Security benefits for tens of thousands of Ohioans, and stood up to FirstEnergy’s illegal customer charges.
“Sherrod Brown has never forgotten who he works for,” said Belz. “At a time when too many leaders answer to big donors, Ohio voters sent back a Senator with a 20-year record of standing up for working families and ratepayers.”
In addition, Ohio Citizen Action endorsed Allison Russo for Ohio Secretary of State, who was declared the winner of that race. Other statewide races were still considered too close to call.
All five Congressional candidates endorsed by OCA were also victorious.
Greg Landsman (OH-1)
Ohio Citizen Action congratulates Congressman Greg Landsman on winning re-election in Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, despite new district lines drawn to favor Republicans. His win shows that gerrymandering can’t silence Ohio’s cities when voters turn out.
In Congress, Landsman introduced the No Harm Data Center Act to make data centers pay for the grid upgrades they require, rather than passing those costs to families. He also introduced the Drain the Swamp Act, a sweeping anti-corruption package.
“Voters in the 1st District refused to let a gerrymandered map decide their election for them,” said Rachael Belz, CEO of Ohio Citizen Action. “Congressman Landsman has stood up for ratepayers and clean government, and we’re glad he’ll keep doing that work.”
Brian Poindexter (OH-7)
Ohio Citizen Action congratulates Brian Poindexter on his election to represent Ohio’s 7th Congressional District. A union ironworker who grew up in the communities he will now represent, Poindexter owes nothing to the political establishment.
Poindexter ran on supporting an economy that rewards hard work, lower costs for working families, including fair utility bills, and making companies that receive tax breaks and subsidies create good jobs here at home.
“Brian Poindexter knows what it’s like to work hard and still watch the bills pile up,” said Belz. “Voters in the 7th District sent a working person to Washington, and we look forward to working with him.”
Marcy Kaptur (OH-9)
Ohio Citizen Action congratulates Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur on her re-election in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. The longest-serving woman in the history of Congress, Kaptur brings experience and a record of working across the aisle that Ohio can’t afford to lose.
Kaptur has been one of the strongest voices in Congress on the House Bill 6 bribery scandal. She called for an independent forensic audit of FirstEnergy and introduced the Ratepayer Justice and Commercial Power Accountability Act to return money taken by corrupt utilities to the customers who were overcharged.
“Marcy Kaptur has never stopped fighting for Ohio ratepayers,” said Belz. “Northwest Ohio voters kept a proven champion for accountability in Congress.”
Emilia Sykes (OH-13)
Ohio Citizen Action congratulates Congresswoman Emilia Sykes on her re-election in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, one of the most competitive districts in the country. Sykes has earned voters’ trust by building bipartisan coalitions, including after the East Palestine train derailment.
Sykes co-sponsored the Freedom to Vote Act, introduced the Closing Bribery Loopholes Act, and has opposed legislation that would drive up utility bills for working families.
“Emilia Sykes wins tough races because she shows up for the people she represents,” said Belz. “We’re proud to see her keep fighting for affordable energy, clean water, and voting rights.”
Don Leonard (OH-15)
Ohio Citizen Action congratulates Don Leonard on his election to represent Ohio’s 15th Congressional District. A first-time candidate, Leonard walked away from a tenured academic track to run because he was worried about the world his daughter would inherit.
Leonard ran on promoting an economy where every full-time job supports a full life, and on the importance of listening to constituents concerned about data centers and private development affecting Ohio’s land and water.
“Don Leonard ran as a candidate for the people, with no debts to the political establishment,” said Belz. “Voters in the 15th District chose a fresh voice, and we look forward to working with him.”
OCA endorsements are approved by the Board of Directors and reflect the organization’s commitment to candidates who put Ohioans first on energy affordability, accountability, and voting rights.
“Regardless of tonight’s results, the work continues,” said Belz. “Ohioans want lower energy bills, a reliable grid, fair elections, and a government that answers to them, not special interests. Ohio Citizen Action’s canvassers will keep organizing in neighborhoods across the state to ensure that our newly elected officials hear directly from the people they now serve.”