Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

Ohio House District 80

No. to be elected: 99 | Salary: $68,674 | Term: 2 yearsResponsibilities: To represent the people of the district and the State of Ohio in dealing with matters not allocated to the federal government.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Melissa VanDyke
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Katie Koehler Wagner
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

What changes would you make, if any, to voting and elections policy?

What type of tax reform, if any, would best serve Ohio?

How would you address concerns about the rising cost of living?

What are your priorities for K-12 and higher education?

How would you reduce hyperpartisanship and promote civility?

Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Training and Experience I’m a mother, former teacher, and a lifelong advocate for doing what's right. My husband and I are proud to raise our four children here, instilling the values of hard work and community service in them. “Be Good, Do What’s Right” was coined by my dad. It encapsulates his lessons of honesty, fairness, responsibility, community service, even when it is hard. I never had political ambitions. But, I’ve watched life get harder for my neighbors, students and family. While it seems
Volunteer/Community Service Substitute teacher, PTO volunteer, classroom volunteer, New Path Outreach (food pantry and grocery rescue), community outreach connecting residents to local nonprofits.
Ohio’s elections should be secure, transparent, and accessible to every eligible voter. I support policies that make it easier to participate in our democracy, including expanded early voting hours, protecting vote-by-mail access, and ensuring voters have clear and consistent information about registration and polling locations.

I also believe we must address the impact of gerrymandering so voters can choose their representatives, rather than politicians choosing their voters. Fair and transparent district maps are essential to restoring trust in our elections.

Finally, we should continue investing in well-trained poll workers, modern election infrastructure, and transparent auditing processes so every Ohioan can vote easily and with confidence their voice is counted.
Ohio’s tax system should work for working families and the communities they live in. I support tax policies that provide relief for middle- and lower-income households while ensuring that the wealthiest individuals and large corporations pay their fair share.

We should also protect stable funding for essential public services like public schools, infrastructure, and local governments. Overreliance on regressive taxes can shift the burden onto working families.

Thoughtful tax reform should focus on fairness, transparency, and long-term stability so Ohio can invest in strong communities, a skilled workforce, and an economy that works for everyone.
Addressing the rising cost of living starts with strengthening the economic security of working families. I support policies that expand access to affordable housing, reduce the cost of childcare, and protect access to quality healthcare.

We must also invest in strong public schools, workforce development, and infrastructure so Ohioans can access stable, well-paying jobs close to home. At the same time, the state should look for ways to reduce unnecessary costs placed on families through fees and regressive policies.

The goal should be simple: ensure that people who work hard in Ohio can afford to live, raise a family, and build a secure future in their communities.
I believe all Ohio students should have the opportunity to succeed, and schools should reflect and support the diversity of our communities. That means ensuring every student has access to high‑quality public education, strong mental health resources, and equitable support services from K‑12 through higher education.

Recent state policy changes have limited DEI programs in public colleges and sparked debates about how schools address equity and inclusion. I would work to ensure that while we respect state law and academic freedom, schools also support all students (regardless of background) with resources, mentoring, and opportunities that help every learner thrive.

Quality education must prepare students for a diverse world and help them build skills to contribute positively to their
Hyperpartisanship erodes trust and makes it harder to get things done. I would reduce it by prioritizing open communication, collaboration, and transparency in government, and by modeling civility in every interaction. I support bipartisan committees, community forums, and policies that encourage listening over attacking. In both campaigning and governance, we must focus on issues, not personal attacks, and create spaces where everyone feels heard, respected, and represented.