Who's running in Ohio's 15th 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 Carey 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.
Domestic energy production, drawing on his career in the coal industry.
Tax policy, as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
The Republican budget agenda, including the 2025 reconciliation bill.
Manufacturing and logistics jobs in the Columbus region.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 15th District since November 2021, when he won a special election; re-elected in 2024 with 56.5%.
Vice president of government affairs at American Consolidated Natural Resources and Murray Energy Corporation; former chairman and president of the Ohio Coal Association.
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation bill containing the Medicaid and food assistance changes.
Endorsed for re-election by President Trump on May 5, 2026.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election, and the state's largest transport union also endorsed him.
— President Donald Trump; Ohio Conference of Teamsters
Arguments against
More than a dozen constituents protested outside his Columbus office over the cuts to food assistance, Medicaid and education contained in the bill he voted for.
— Constituents taking part in the Center for Popular Democracy's Care Over Cruelty action, reported by the Ohio Capital Journal
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 energy industry background and his seat on the tax-writing committee as directly relevant to the region's manufacturing and logistics economy — 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.
Carey's response to the protest was not established from sources read.
A second criticism of him from this cycle, from a source other than protest organisers, could not be found; his coal industry background was the subject of criticism in his 2021 special election but no current statement of it was located.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Protecting Medicaid, food assistance and education funding from federal cuts.
Housing and urban planning policy, drawing on his academic field.
Reducing the influence of money in politics; he is endorsed by End Citizens United.
First Amendment protest rights, which he says his own arrest at a demonstration bears on.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Professional practice assistant professor of city and regional planning at Ohio State University for about ten years; stepped down to run for Congress.
Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary with about 53% against former state representative Adam Miller.
Charged with obstructing official business and violating a noise ordinance after attending a No Kings protest in Grove City with a bullhorn; he says he was exercising his First Amendment rights.
A House Majority PAC poll taken June 23 to 25, 2026 found him within striking distance of the incumbent.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
The campaign finance reform organisation endorsed him, and a poll for the House Democratic outside group found him close enough to make a district Republicans had not expected to defend competitive.
— End Citizens United; House Majority PAC polling by Hart Research Associates
Arguments against
He was charged with obstructing official business and with violating a noise ordinance after using a bullhorn at a protest in Grove City. He says he was exercising his First Amendment right to speak.
— Charges brought by Grove City authorities, reported by The Lantern
What we couldn’t verify
The outcome of the charges against him was not established; his own account is that the arrest was for protected speech.
No National Republican Congressional Committee material naming Leonard could be found, and no criticism of him from Mike Carey's campaign was located.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Ran in the Libertarian Party primary for Ohio's 15th 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
Barrington'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 Barrington 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 Carey, Democrat Don Leonard, who beat former state representative Adam Miller with about 53%, and Libertarian Brennan Barrington. The district covers the south-western Columbus metropolitan area, including Dublin, Hilliard and Grove City, and reaches out to Clinton, Fayette and Madison counties. A House Majority PAC poll in June 2026 found the race closer than the district's history would suggest. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and Ohio Capital Journal reporting. Criticism of Barrington 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.