Every child in Ohio deserves access to a high-quality public education, regardless of their ZIP code or their family’s income. I believe the State of Ohio has a responsibility to make sure our public schools have the resources they need to succeed.

That means fully supporting our teachers, investing in our classrooms, maintaining safe and modern school buildings, and making sure students have access to the programs and opportunities that prepare them for life after graduation.

For too many Ohio families, the cost of simply getting by continues to rise. Housing, groceries, utilities, healthcare, childcare, transportation, and other everyday necessities can take up most of a family’s paycheck before there is anything left to save or enjoy.

Affordability should be about more than just wages. It is about whether the money you earn is enough to live a stable, dignified life.

Healthcare should be something every Ohioan can access when they need it—not something they have to put off because they are worried about the cost.

Too many families are forced to make difficult choices when medical bills, prescription costs, insurance premiums, and unexpected expenses continue to rise. A person should never have to decide between seeing a doctor and paying their rent, buying groceries, or keeping the lights on.

For working parents, childcare is not a luxury—it is a necessity. When childcare is too expensive, unavailable, or difficult to find, families are forced to make impossible choices between going to work, pursuing an education, or staying home to care for their children.

I believe Ohio should make affordable, dependable childcare a priority for working families. Parents should be able to work knowing their children are safe, cared for, and learning in a quality environment.

Southern Ohio is home to hardworking people, strong communities, small businesses, family farms, and generations of families who have built their lives here. Our communities deserve investment, opportunity, and a voice in Columbus.

Too often, rural Ohio can feel like an afterthought when state decisions are made. I believe that where you live should never determine the opportunities available to you or your family.

Mental health is healthcare, and it deserves to be treated that way.

As a mental health therapist, I have had the opportunity to sit with people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be to find help, how much a person’s mental health can affect their family and their ability to work and thrive, and how important it is to have someone there before a crisis occurs.