Who's running in Ohio's 5th 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 · Bob Latta 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.
Energy and telecommunications policy, as a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Manufacturing and agriculture in north-western Ohio.
The Republican budget and tax agenda.
Reduced federal regulation.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 5th District since December 2007; re-elected in 2024 with 67.5%.
Senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Former Wood County commissioner and Ohio state representative and senator; lawyer by profession.
Endorsed for re-election by President Trump on May 5, 2026.
Has not held a public town hall since 2015, according to his Democratic opponent.
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
His Democratic opponent says Latta has not held a town hall since 2015 and has built his own campaign around meeting voters who cannot get a meeting with their congressman.
— Brian Shaver, his Democratic opponent
What we couldn’t verify
His campaign also makes a case for him based on his own experience and seniority — his campaign points to nearly two decades of seniority on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which handles energy, telecommunications and health policy — 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.
Latta's response to the town hall criticism, and whether he disputes the 2015 date, was not established from sources read.
A second criticism of him from this cycle, from a source other than his opponent, could not be found.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Stronger checks and balances and transparency in how legislation is written.
Guardrails to stop elected officials profiting from their positions.
Accessibility: he is running a nine-county listening tour precisely because he says the incumbent does not hold town halls.
Public education and organised labour, drawing on his teaching and union roles.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
President of Fostoria City Council.
Social studies teacher at Fostoria Junior/Senior High School and president of the teachers' union there.
Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary with 28.7% in a four-candidate field.
Runs a district-wide 'Tacos and Transparency' listening tour with weekly events across the nine counties of the district.
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 Shaver by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Bob Latta's campaign, and against Toledo Blade, Chronicle-Telegram, Richland Source and BG Independent News coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
The Chronicle-Telegram endorsed him in the Democratic primary, writing that he was the Democrats' best bet against Latta.
His fundraising was not established from sources read; the district is rated solidly Republican.
Libertarian Party principles of limited government and individual liberty.
Wider ballot access and participation for candidates outside the two major parties.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Lifelong resident of north-central Ohio; lives in Galion.
B.A. in English literature, Ohio State University Mansfield, 2001.
Community moderator and manager for the Green Party from 2014 to 2020, and later for Libertarian Party online communities.
Filed as a write-in candidate in the May 5, 2026 Libertarian primary and was unopposed.
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 Veloff by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond party listings. As a Libertarian candidate he has drawn very little coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
His detailed policy positions could not be established; no campaign website or candidate questionnaire covering him was located.
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 Bob Latta, Democrat Brian Shaver, who won a four-way primary with 28.7%, and Libertarian Michael Veloff. The district covers lower north-western Ohio and the middle Lake Erie shore, including Findlay, Bowling Green, Lorain and Oberlin, and is rated solidly Republican. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and Richland Source and Chronicle-Telegram reporting.
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.