Training and Experience
20 years as an educator, 10 years as a member of the City and Regional Planning faculty at The Ohio State University
Volunteer/Community Service
Board member, Columbus Landmarks Foundation (architectural and cultural preservation). Board member, Bikes for All People. Volunteer, Welcome Home for Life (prison ministry).
First, I will seek to reverse any draconian Voter ID laws that should pass, including the so-called "SAVE America Act" which was-as I type this-passed by the House and currently being debated in the Senate. Conversely, we need to do a better job of enfranchising eligible voters. Currently the United States lags behind most of the industrialized world in terms of voter turnout. We can fix this.
Second, I would seek to organize a national campaign to amend the U.S. Constitution to reverse the absurd ruling Citizens United and the idea that corporations are people when it comes to political participation and that money is speech. We must abandon the idea of one dollar, one vote and return to a system of one person, one vote.
Third, I would enthusiastically support ranked-choice voting.
America's living wage crisis is a scourge on our nation. As the wealthiest society in the history of humankind, it is offensive that tens of millions of working families struggle to make ends meet each month. It doesn't have to be this way. We can build an economy where one job is enough to thrive. By tackling big-ticket items that strain family finances each month, we could easily put $1,000/month back in the pockets of working families.
-Health Care: Cut the cost of private health insurance in half and offer all working families a public option.
-Double the rate of starter-home construction through federal incentives.
-Bring the cost of childcare under control so it isn't a second mortgage.
-Support those who care for young kids, aging parents, or a disabled member of the family.
The level of vitriol in American politics did not rise up by accident. A string of powerful forces have culminated in the present crisis of American democracy and our sense of unity.
First, the corporatization of our news media--driven by Wall Street mergers and deregulation that ended the FCC Fairness Doctrine-- transformed political news into a for-profit circus.
Second, pervasive gerrymandering under Democrats and Republicans has increased the incentives of politicians in political primaries to move towards the extreme.
Finally, and fundamentally, the rising income inequality that resulted from Reagan's economic reforms has provoked reasonable anger and frustration with government and democracy. Only by restoring economic hope can we rebuild trust in democratic institutions.
The United States must stop forcing democracy through the barrel of a gun. Our government should take no public position on who the rightful or legitimate government of a foreign country ought to be.
At the same time, the U.S. must vigorously defend international law, including the protection of civilians and the defense of international borders. If a country threatens the lives of civilians internally or across national borders, it is our responsibility to join the community of nations in a multi-lateral response. If one country threatens the territorial sovereignty of another, the United States must again join in an international response to restore international order.
Recent events in the Middle East, including the genocide in Gaza and the war in Iran, betray this foreign policy.
The United States is in urgent need of comprehensive immigration reform. The existence of 15 million undocumented residents undermines both the rule of law and the rights and security of the undocumented.
The barbaric, unconstitutional, and treasonous actions of federal ICE agents does not represent a path towards restoring the rule of law. These actions represent a sick and twisted attempt by the current administration to deflect attention from the real culprits of the present economic malaise--corporate monopolies, corrupt politicians distorting our tax code, and attacks on core labor rights such as collective bargaining.
Training and Experience
4-term Ohio State Representative, 29 years in the Army Reserve JAG Corps, including two combat tours in Afghanistan and former union teacher.
Volunteer/Community Service
Co-Chair of Ohio Veterans Caucus, Hilltop Kiwanis Club, and founder of Operation Legal Help Ohio.
As a veteran, I have put my life on the life to support and defend our democracy which includes the right to fair and safe elections. I support protecting early voting, increasing early vote locations, and making sure polling places are properly staffed. Ohioans have spoken loudly on gerrymandering twice and been ignored twice. I'll fight for federal standards that take redistricting out of partisan hands for good.
Costs are increasing while Ohioans work twice as hard to keep up. We need a representative who will fight for policies that lower everyday expenses such as healthcare, housing and groceries. I'll work to expand the child tax credit and fight for more resources to support our teachers and childcare workers. I’ll support programs for first time home buyers and public service employees like teachers, firefighters, and first responders. And, it's beyond time we pass the PRO Act to guarantee workers always have the right to organize.
I've sat across the table from people I disagreed with my entire career as a teacher, as a lawyer and as State Representative but I've seen what can happens when you get people to come together. Washington needs to spend less time thinking about party identification and more on how we can work together to make life better in Ohio and beyond. I've been able to work across the aisle during my time as a State Representative to get things done and I plan on bringing that same mission to Congress.
I served as a Colonel in the US Army JAG Corps for 29 years with multiple tours overseas and two deployments to Afghanistan and I've advised the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon. I've seen firsthand what strong American leadership looks like, and what happens when it fails. I support our NATO alliances without hesitation and believe America is always stronger when we lead with both strength and diplomacy. But I also know the true cost of war. I'll never vote to put our men and women in harm's way without exhausting every alternative first.
Our immigration system is broken and we need to fix it. This includes passing real, bipartisan immigration reform and demanding accountability for federal immigration agents. We need a system that treats people with dignity all while keeping our community safe. I believe we can have a system that does both and I will fight in Congress to make it happen.
