Ohio’s anti-LGBTQ+ attacks prompt out gay commissioner’s historic Statehouse run

The recent explosion in anti-LGBTQ+ state legislation compelled Eli Bohnert to run for the Ohio Statehouse next year. 

An out gay man, Bohnert is a commissioner for the Columbus-area suburb of West Scioto. He officially launched his campaign to represent District 6 on the heels of a rainbow-wave election cycle in Ohio.

If he wins, Bohnert would become only the third out LGBTQ+ Ohio legislator elected to the Statehouse in its 220 year history: after Senator Nickie Antonio and former Representative Tim Brown.

Ohio’s 6th house district encompasses western Franklin County, including parts of Columbus. The primary election will take place on March 19, 2024.

The Buckeye Flame spoke to Bohnert about his leap into state politics and what he hopes to accomplish if elected. 

First, tell us how you came to join the West Scioto Area Commission in spring 2022.

Community service was instilled in me from a very early age. I was always taught you should find the talent you’ve been blessed with and figure out a way to serve your community with it, and that’s what inspired me to get involved with the area Commission. The Commission’s focus is almost exclusively on zoning, rezoning and variances. I wanted to help address the affordable housing crisis in central Ohio.

The first meeting I ever went to was on my birthday two years ago. I fell in love with it. I spoke to the different commissioners and said, “I think this is something I’d be interested in; are there any vacancies?” Someone had resigned recently, and there was an open seat, so I collected the signatures you need to be considered for appointment, turned them in and then was appointed to the position. Probably about a four-, five-month process from my first meeting to my appointment and swearing-in. 

Why the pivot now to the Statehouse?

I’ve had a really enjoyable time serving as area commissioner, but I see what’s happening at the state level when it comes to many issues, especially LGBTQ+ issues. We’ve been seeing constant attacks on the community, especially trans folks and particularly trans kids. We have out-of-touch people passing laws that the majority of Ohioans do not agree with and don’t want. I think it’s time we have some representation in place—so that when people are talking about [LGBTQ+] issues in the Statehouse, someone’s there from the community who will fight for them.

If elected, what will your policy priorities be?

The main themes of my platform are Freedom, Opportunity and Security. We should all have the freedom to make our own reproductive health choices. We should all have the freedom to live in a way that is right for us and our families without fear of government overreach. 

Opportunity—we all deserve access to good-paying jobs, hopefully union jobs. We all have the right to a high-quality public education without fear of it being defunded and [the tax dollars] sent off to private charter schools that have no accountability. We all have the right to be able to afford safe, clean housing that we don’t have to worry about whether we’ll be able to pay the rent next month. 

And we all deserve the ability to live in a community where we feel safe – safe to go to the mall, safe to send kids to school and safe to just walk down the street without fear of something bad happening to us.

The state is taking so much local control and power away from our cities and counties to do these basic things. I want to go there and help turn that around. Our local governments know what’s best for citizens and we want to ensure they have the tools they need to serve them.

If elected, you’ll be the state’s only out gay male representative?

I think it would set a precedent. Now, anybody in the LGBTQ+ community can become a state rep. In the state Senate, we’re lucky to have Sen. Nicki Antonio, and she’s done a great job of representing the community and being a great advocate. I hope [my election] would encourage anybody in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as younger people in general, to get engaged in politics. Take the frustration and anger you might have about something going on at any level of government and turn it into a chance to advocate for something good. 🔥

Editor’s Note: This article was updated to correct Bohnert bidding to become the second out LGBTQ+ legislator. He would be the third, after Nickie Antonio and Tim Brown.

Ignite action

• To learn more about Eli Bohnert, visit him on his website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
• To register to vote or to check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, click here.