Chris Stanley

Ohio

Running for: State Representative, District 59

which includes parts of Mahoning County

Chris Stanley is a husband to a talented educator, Morgan, a father to three vivacious daughters and one charming little boy. He graduated from Ohio Dominican University with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Studies Education and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, which he uses on a daily basis in his job as a 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher for Youngstown City Schools.

He is running for the Ohio House with an exciting vision for the 59th District that includes improving public education, attracting new businesses and good-paying jobs, and making sure local governments have the resources needed to provide vital services and keep our families and neighborhoods safe.

Priorities: Education, Healthcare, Safe Neighborhoods, Economic Development and Jobs, Women’s Civil and Human Rights, Workers Rights

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Zach Stepp

Ohio

Running for: State Representative, District 55

which includes parts of Montgomery and Preble Counties

Zach Stepp grew up in Sheffield Village, so Northeast Ohio has always been his home. Growing up in a family that struggled to get ahead, Zach learned that his family’s personal and financial struggles did not define him. When his childhood home was sold off in a public auction, Zach learned how to build websites for small businesses so he could have some extra cash as a kid. At 16, he got a job at Five Guys and works nights and weekends — and he got promoted three times while he was still in high school. Through hard work, Zach received a full scholarship to the University of Chicago, traveled the world, and work in national politics and in the federal government. He hopes to bring a fresh perspective to, and make a lasting impact on, his district.

Priorities:

Economic revitalization, bouncing back from COVID, quality public education, ending the culture of corruption, respecting the dignity of work.

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Joan Sweeny

Ohio

Running for: State Representative, District 7

which includes parts of Cuyahoga County

Born and raised in Lakewood, Joan Sweeny has deep roots in Northeast Ohio. Today, she and her husband Mark call Berea home. Joan served in the United States Army for 25 years, deploying to Desert Shield/Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan as well as tours in Germany, Korea, and throughout the United States. And while in the Army Reserves, she served as a police officer in Colorado Springs for four years. Joan spent her career in public service, and now she hopes to bring her experience to the State House as the representative from her community.

Priorities:

Invest in education; rebuild the economy with good-paying jobs; restore government integrity; protect the environment.

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Emilia Sykes

Ohio

Running for: State Representative, District 34

which includes parts of Summit County

Born and raised in Akron, Emilia and her sister grew up learning about the importance of public service. Their parents, Vernon and Barbara Sykes, have dedicated their lives to giving back to their community — both have served as elected officials. Emilia graduated magna cum laude from Kent State University with a B.A. in Psychology. Soon after, she earned her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Emilia Sykes currently serves as the Ohio House Minority Leader for the Democratic Caucus.

Priorities:

Work with both parties to get work done; improve Black maternal health; support Planned Parenthood; empower local communities by supporting local government and through criminal justice reform; renew Ohio’s commitment to public schools.

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Vernon Sykes

Ohio

Running for: State Senator, District 28

which includes parts of Summit County

Having previously served on the Akron City Council and in the Ohio House of Representatives, Vernon Sykes has dedicated his life to public service. While in office, he has fought to expand access to early childhood education and increase funding for higher education. Vernon is married, with two children and two grandchildren, and he is excited to continue advocating for Ohioans in the State Senate.

Priorities:

Increased funding for education, fairly drawn districts, fighting child abuse, preventing housing discrimination.

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Desiree Tims

Ohio

Running for: United States Congress, District 10

which includes Fayette, Greene, and Montgomery Counties

With grandparents who achieved the American Dream, Desiree Tims wants to blaze the trail for the next generation. She has ample experience in government -- from working in the Obama White House, to working for two United States Senators, and becoming President of the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus -- and she is more than prepared to work for her community as a US Representative.

Priorities:

Ensure that regions like Dayton receive the federal resources and investments they need; create a public health insurance option to guarantee universal coverage; fight for a national, universal preschool program.

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Casey Weinstein

Ohio

Running for: State Representative, District 37

which includes parts of Summit County

Casey grew up surrounded by a family that loved public service. His grandfather, father, brother, brother-in-law, and wife Amanda all served, or are serving, in the armed forces. And he served in the Air Force himself. In Dayton, Casey was named as a ‘Top 40 Under 40’ Community Leader. After serving on the Hudson City Council since 2015, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2018. Casey believes in working with both sides of the aisle so he can serve everyone in his community.

Priorities:

Invest in an adapting workforce; fight COVID-19 and protect the community from the virus; increase municipal funding; support our military, veterans and first responders.

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Thomas West

Ohio

Running for: State Representative, District 49

which includes a portion of Stark County, including Canton and most of Massillon

State Representative Thomas West is running for re-election to the 49th House District, a diverse district that consists of a portion of Stark County, including Canton and most of Massillon. Rep. West served as a Canton City Council member for 13 years before he was elected to the state legislature.

While serving on Canton City Council, West acted as the Chairman of the Annexation Committee and a member of the Capital Improvement Committee, Special Improvement District and Canton Community Improvement Corporation. He worked on issues surrounding landlord and tenant disputes and various other local ordinances and issues during his time as councilman.

Before serving in local government, Rep. West worked as a mental health professional for over 25 years. During that time he served a range of communities in a variety of roles – both at the individual direct client services level as a licensed clinical social worker and at the macro-level as an advocate, founder, and program administrator. His work in the community has garnered both local and national recognition. His experience as a social worker enables him to bring a unique perspective to the legislature – one of which he is proud of. His passion for ensuring people have the tools and opportunities to live a life of dignity is apparent through his time of service to the community.

As state representative, Rep. West has worked diligently to pass a variety of bipartisan bills, including legislation to create a children’s behavioral healthcare network and legislation to prevent another Ohioan from dying in a tragic accident such as the one that occurred to Dallas Swogger.

In addition to serving in several legislative committees in his role as state representative, West was appointed to the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, Ohio Advisory on Aging and the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board.

West earned a Bachelors and Masters of Social Work from the University of Akron after earning a degree in Business Administration from Mount Union College.

West and his wife have two children and reside in Canton.