Who's running in Ohio's 10th congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Mike Turner currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
National security and defence, including support for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the district.
Continued U.S. support for Ukraine, a position that set him apart from much of his party.
The Republican budget and tax agenda.
Manufacturing and aerospace jobs in the Miami Valley.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the Dayton area since January 2003; re-elected in 2024 with 57.6%.
Mayor of Dayton from 1994 to 2002.
Chaired the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence until January 2025, when Speaker Mike Johnson declined to reappoint him, saying the committee needed a fresh start.
Voted against the House war powers resolution intended to bar military action against Iran without congressional authorisation.
Endorsed for re-election by President Trump on May 5, 2026.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election, and the state Republican party backed the Trump-endorsed slate.
— President Donald Trump; Ohio Republican Party
His campaign points to more than two decades of seniority on defence and intelligence, including the Intelligence Committee chairmanship, in a district built around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
— The Turner campaign
Arguments against
His Democratic opponent held a press conference arguing his vote against the war powers resolution — which would have required congressional approval before military action against Iran — harms Miami Valley families.
— Kristina Knickerbocker, his Democratic opponent
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says it will make him answer for a record of taking away health care and raising families' costs to pay for tax cuts for wealthy donors.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
What we couldn’t verify
The reason for his removal from the Intelligence Committee chairmanship is contested: Speaker Johnson said the committee needed a fresh start, while reporting attributed it to friction with President Trump. Neither account is treated here as settled.
Turner's response to the war powers criticism was not established from sources read.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Congressional authorisation before military action abroad.
Health care access and costs, drawing on her work as an oncology nurse practitioner.
Reducing the influence of big money in politics; she is backed by End Citizens United.
Veterans' issues, drawing on her Air Force service.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Air Force veteran; oncology nurse practitioner.
Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary against five other candidates.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
End Citizens United backed her and publicly congratulated her on the primary win, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has named this one of two Ohio seats it is going on offence in.
— End Citizens United; Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Arguments against
The county Republican party filed three Federal Election Commission complaints against her during the primary, part of a pattern the local paper noted of complaints filed against Turner's challengers in previous cycles as well.
— Montgomery County Republican Party, reported by the Dayton Daily News
What we couldn’t verify
The outcome of the FEC complaints was not established; the Dayton Daily News noted that similar complaints were filed against Turner's opponents in 2013, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2024.
Her response to the complaints was not established from sources read.
Her fundraising was not established from sources read.
Ran in the Libertarian Party primary for Ohio's 10th District on May 5, 2026 and advanced to the general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
McMasters's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of McMasters by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Ohio held its primary on May 5, 2026, under the new congressional map adopted in October 2025. Three candidates are on the November ballot: Republican incumbent Mike Turner, Democrat Kristina Knickerbocker, who won a six-candidate primary, and Libertarian Thomas McMasters. The redrawn district covers the Dayton metropolitan area and Middletown. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has named this one of two Ohio seats it is contesting. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and Dayton Daily News reporting. Criticism of McMasters by name could not be found, so his entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Ohio ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.