Who's running in Ohio's 2nd 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 · David Taylor 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.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
Small business and construction industry policy, drawing on his concrete company.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
Lower taxes and reduced federal regulation.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 2nd District since January 2025; elected in 2024 with 73.5%.
Owner of Taylor's Concrete Solutions.
Beat Bob Carr in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary.
Endorsed for re-election by President Trump on May 5, 2026.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election, one of a string of Ohio endorsements issued on primary day, and the state Republican party backed the Trump-endorsed slate.
— President Donald Trump; Ohio Republican Party
Arguments against
His Democratic opponent criticises his acceptance of political action committee money, both for his campaign and in connection with his concrete business, and says that unlike him she would represent everyone in the district regardless of age, gender, race, national origin or party.
— Jen Mazzuckelli, his Democratic opponent
What we couldn’t verify
The PAC funding criticism comes from his opponent's campaign; the underlying filings were not examined here and Taylor's response was not located.
As a first-term member he has a short voting record, and no independent reporting critical of him by name was found.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Transparency and accessibility from a member of Congress.
Affordable housing, drawing on her own difficulty finding it across several counties in the district.
Support for working families.
Treating substance abuse as a mental health problem rather than a criminal one.
Representing constituents of every age, gender, race, national origin and party.
Congressional oversight of the administration's dismantling of federal agencies.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Teacher in south-west Ohio; earlier worked in human resources; interned at the Pentagon during a presidential transition.
Resident of Eastlake, Clermont County; has not held elected office.
Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary against Todd Wilson.
Has spoken publicly about living with multiple sclerosis and about pressing domestic violence charges against a former partner.
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 Mazzuckelli by name could be found. Searched: her name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against David Taylor's campaign, and against WSAZ, WVXU, Marietta Times and Portsmouth Daily Times coverage. Because no case against her exists on the record, no case for her is presented either.
No campaign website for her could be located.
Her endorsements and fundraising were not established from sources read; the district is among the most Republican in Ohio.
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 by the Ohio Redistricting Commission in October 2025. Republican incumbent David Taylor beat Bob Carr for renomination; Democrat Jen Mazzuckelli beat Todd Wilson. The redrawn district runs from the eastern Cincinnati suburbs along the Ohio River to Athens and Marietta, and is among the most Republican in the state. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and WSAZ and WVXU reporting. Criticism of Mazzuckelli by name could not be found, so her 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.