Who's running in Ohio's 6th 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 · Michael Rulli 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.
Cutting federal spending and eliminating programmes he considers wasteful, as a member of the DOGE caucus.
Protecting immigration enforcement officers; he introduced the HALO Act, which would make it a crime to remain within 25 feet of an officer after a verbal warning.
Manufacturing and energy jobs in the Mahoning Valley.
The Republican budget and tax agenda, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 6th District since June 2024, when he won a special election; elected to a full term in November 2024 with 66.7%.
Ohio state senator before Congress; part-owner of the Rulli Brothers grocery chain.
Introduced the HALO Act in March 2026, which would establish criminal penalties for remaining within 25 feet of a federal immigration officer after a verbal warning.
Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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
A national police organisation endorsed his HALO Act as protecting federal immigration officers from harassment.
— National Police Association
Arguments against
Constituents held repeated protests outside his family's grocery stores over his vote for the budget bill's Medicaid and Medicare reductions, and to demand that he hold a town hall while he was in the district.
— Protesters outside Rulli Brothers stores in Boardman and elsewhere, reported by WKBN
What we couldn’t verify
Similar 25-foot buffer laws at state level have drawn First Amendment objections from press associations and civil liberties groups — in Kansas, for example — but no criticism of Rulli's federal HALO Act by name from those groups was located, so that criticism is not attributed to this bill.
Whether Rulli has held a public town hall in response to the protests was not established from sources read.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Protecting Medicaid and Medicare from federal cuts.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary against five other candidates.
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 Kirtley by name could be found. Searched: her name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Michael Rulli's campaign, and against WFMJ, WKBN, Vindicator and Morning Journal 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, and her biography beyond the primary result was not established; the standsFor list is limited to the two positions reported by Ideastream rather than filled out with guesses.
Her endorsements and fundraising were 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. Republican incumbent Michael Rulli, who won this seat in a June 2024 special election, faces Democrat Elizabeth Kirtley, who beat five opponents for the nomination. The district covers Appalachian Ohio and the Mahoning Valley, including Youngstown, Steubenville and Massillon, and is rated solidly Republican. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and WFMJ and Ideastream reporting. Criticism of Kirtley 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.