Ohio’s U. S. congressional races for 2026 are starting to take form, and with a very slim majority in the U. S. House, along with a historically tough midterm cycle for the party in power, every competitive race this year could really matter.
This month, two Democratic candidates have launched their campaigns for Ohio congressional seats, while a notable Republican has announced plans to challenge a long-time Democrat.
The party currently holding the presidency typically loses seats during midterm elections, and the Republican control of the House is already narrow. With President Donald Trump’s approval ratings dropping significantly, Democrats believe that seats previously thought to be safe are now up for grabs.
Last week, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report adjusted its ratings on 18 House races – all shifting toward Democrats.
In one Ohio contest, newcomer Kristina Knickerbocker declared her candidacy as a Democrat for the Dayton-area Congressional district 10 seat held by Republican Mike Turner.
The district was made slightly less competitive last year due to redistricting carried out by Ohio Republicans that Democrats accepted. It further manipulated state congressional districts but not as drastically as Republicans had initially threatened.
While the Cook Political Report still labels the district as solidly Republican, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee believes it can be turned blue.
Knickerbocker, 34, is a nurse practitioner and an Air Force veteran.
In her campaign announcement video, she highlighted rising consumer costs, particularly in health care.
“I see the real cost when the health care system fails my patients…,” Knickerbocker said. “I see people lose their life savings because health care costs are too high. The system cares more about making money than keeping people healthy. We know this isn’t working. Prices keep going up. Insurance premiums are skyrocketing. Even electric bills are through the roof. The economy is broken.”
Turner, 66, is a lawyer who served as Dayton’s mayor before being elected to Congress for twelve terms.
With traditional foreign policy stances on issues like supporting Ukraine and NATO, he previously chaired the influential House Intelligence Committee. However, those views conflicted with those of Trump’s incoming administration leading to him losing that position last year.
There were rumors he might retire at year’s end; however he announced his reelection bid last week and stressed his backing of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s importance.
In doing so, he seemed to reference significant and controversial cuts made last year to federal jobs overseen by an individual picked by Trump who happens to be one of the wealthiest men in the world.
“I think this is a time to make sure we do have a voice of strong, experienced leadership…” Turner stated. “With everything that’s happening in Washington – especially with vulnerabilities and threats that we have – to our federal workforce and at Wright Patterson Air Force Base- it’s really important to make certain with growth potential and opportunities within our federal budget…”
Trump campaigned throughout 2024 promising he would swiftly address inflation and alleviate economic worries among Americans; however many voters seem less convinced as his second term approaches its first anniversary.
An Ipsos poll conducted in December found that concerns about economic issues like unemployment topped voters’ lists while political extremism or threats against democracy ranked second among their worries.
