Who's running in Ohio's 12th congressional district
2 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.
2 candidates · ballot order · Troy Balderson 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.
Transportation and infrastructure investment, as a member of that committee.
Agriculture and rural policy in eastern Ohio.
The Republican budget and tax agenda, including the 2025 reconciliation bill.
Domestic energy production.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 12th District since August 2018, when he won a special election; re-elected in 2024 with 68.6%.
Former Ohio state senator and state representative; from Zanesville.
Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation bill containing the Medicaid reductions.
Unopposed for the Republican nomination in the May 5, 2026 primary.
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
Arguments against
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says he voted for $990 billion in Medicaid cuts and that the result puts Coshocton Regional Medical Center — the only acute care hospital in its area — at risk of closing, which would leave constituents driving to the next county in an emergency.
— Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
What we couldn’t verify
His campaign also makes a case for him based on his own experience and seniority — his campaign points to his seat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and his roots in the district's farm economy as what a largely rural seat needs in Washington — but that is the candidate describing himself rather than an argument made by anyone else, so it is recorded here and in his record rather than presented alongside the criticism of him.
The Medicaid cut figure and the Coshocton hospital claim are the DCCC's; they were not independently verified here and Balderson's response was not located.
A second criticism of him, from a source other than the Democratic campaign committee, could not be found.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Veterans' issues and education benefits, drawing on his own use of the GI Bill.
Working-class economic policy.
Restraint in U.S. military commitments abroad; he is endorsed by Track AIPAC.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Military veteran who fuelled aircraft during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Software engineer; used the GI Bill to attend college.
Grew up in Athens County; lives in Galena.
Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary with about 94% in a three-candidate field.
Has not held elected office.
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
No published criticism of Christian by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Troy Balderson's campaign, and against Reporting Project, WJER and Columbus Dispatch coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
His endorsements beyond Track AIPAC, and his fundraising, were not established from sources read.
The district has been safely Republican; how he intends to change that was not established.
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. Republican incumbent Troy Balderson was unopposed for renomination; Democrat Jerrad Christian won a three-candidate primary with about 94%. The district covers the area east of Columbus, taking in Newark, Zanesville and Mount Vernon, and has been safely Republican. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and NBC News primary results. Criticism of Christian 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.