Ohio Democrats Flip Three Congressional Seats

Ohio has traditionally elected a majority of Republican representatives to the U.S. House. On Wednesday, results from the state's 15 congressional districts showed Democrats winning eight seats while Republicans secured seven.

Don Leonard defeated Republican Mike Carey in a district covering Columbus suburbs and rural areas to the south and west. In Cleveland suburbs, Brian Poindexter defeated Max Miller. In Dayton, Kristina Knickerbocker leads Mike Turner, though the Associated Press had not officially called that race as of Wednesday afternoon.

The 2026 map was drawn by Republicans with the intent to favor 12 Republican candidates over three Democrats. The final count reversed that projection. This outcome aligns with a national trend where Democrats gained seats in both the House and the Senate.

Leonard, a former Ohio State University city planning professor, attributed the shift to voter sentiment. He told WOSU that voters view the Republican agenda as bankrupt. He stated that no map could have saved the party from the results of the night.

Paul Beck, a professor emeritus at Ohio State University, agreed with Leonard on the All Sides program. Beck noted that voters were frustrated with perceived corruption from President Donald Trump and Ohio Republicans. He specifically cited Carey's history as a coal lobbyist and the FirstEnergy scandal as factors that hurt Republican candidates.

Poindexter, a union ironworker and Brook Park City Council member, ran against Miller, who faced accusations of abusing his daughter and ex-wife. Miller denies the wrongdoing. Knickerbocker, a U.S. Air Force veteran and nurse, would unseat Turner, a 20-year incumbent and former Dayton mayor.

Turnout in the southern and western parts of Franklin County exceeded levels seen in 2022 and 2024. Leonard won more than 60 percent of the vote in those areas. Previous candidates against Carey had captured only 53 percent in the same regions. Turnout also rose in Pickaway, Madison, and Fayette counties, where Carey’s vote share declined compared to previous years.

Leonard, Poindexter, and Knickerbocker will join five reelected Democratic representatives: Joyce Beatty, Greg Landsman, Marcy Kaptur, Shontel Brown, and Emilia Sykes. Seven Republican representatives were also reelected: Troy Balderson, Jim Jordan, Warren Davidson, Dave Joyce, Dave Taylor, Bob Latta, and Michael Rulli.

Leonard said he plans to open new offices in the Hilltop, south Columbus, and Highland County. He intends to create an app for constituent services and pursue committee assignments in Ways and Means or Appropriations. He also aims to introduce legislation banning stock trading by congressmembers and new ethics rules.