OH-15 Columbus suburbs
Ohio
Not calledR -3.0closes 7:30 pm ET
Lean R
Who's running
Mike CareyRIncumbent
Mike Carey has been in Congress since winning a 2021 special election with Trump's backing. Before that he was a top lobbyist for a coal company and led the Ohio Coal Association. He served in the Army National Guard in the 1990s.
What they say they'll do
- Won with about 56% in 2024
- Trump endorsed him again in 2026
- Democratic polls in fall showed a close race
Don LeonardD
Don Leonard teaches city planning at Ohio State and has a PhD from Cornell. He served two years in the Peace Corps in South America. He says he grew up with a single mom who faced poverty and homelessness.
What they say they'll do
- Beat 2024 nominee Adam Miller in the primary
- Calls himself a Do-Something Democrat
- Runs on housing, health care and child care costs
The tea ☕
- Leonard was arrested in March at a No Kings protest in Grove City for a noise violation after police took his bullhorn. No charges or outcome were reported.
Sources
- https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio%27s_15th_Congressional_District_election,_2026
- https://www.nbc4i.com/news/your-local-election-hq/one-of-central-ohios-closest-races-was-to-see-who-will-challenge-mike-carey-for-u-s-house-seat/amp/
- https://uspollingdata.com/candidates/don-leonard/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Carey_(politician)