How did Ohio’s out LGBTQ+ candidates fare in the 2026 midterms?
Seven out LGBTQ+ candidates ran for public office in Ohio’s 2026 midterms. Here’s how they fared.
As part of our “Out at the Polls” voting series, we compiled a list of out LGBTQ+ candidates running for public office across the state – many of them endorsed by Ohio Pride PAC.
Here’s a look at how they each fared in the 2026 midterms.
Ari Childrey (Ohio House of Representatives, District 84)
❌ Childrey lost the race for Ohio House District 84 to incumbent and anti-LGBTQ+ Republican Rep. Angie King.
Ohio House District 84 covers Mercer County, northern Darke County, and southern Auglaize County in the western part of the state.
Rep. Christine Cockley (Ohio House of Representatives, District 6)
✅ Incumbent Rep. Christine Cockley defeated Republican Matthew Jackson in the race top represent Ohio House District 6.
Ohio House District 6 covers parts of Franklin County in the western portion of the Columbus metropolitan area, including the Columbus Westside, Franklin Township, Norwich Township, Prairie Township and the village of Valleyview.
Lora Covrett (Ohio House of Representatives, District 87)
❌ Covrett lost the race to represent Ohio House District 87 to Republican Jeffrey McClain.
Ohio House District 87 includes Morrow County, Crawford County, Wyandot County and rural parts of Marion County.
Jeff Givan (Ohio House of Representatives, District 78)
❌ Givan lost to Speaker of the House and powerful Republican incumbent Rep. Matt Huffman.
Ohio House District 78 covers all of Allen County and a portion of northern Auglaize County in northwest Ohio.
Jessica Miranda (Hamilton County Auditor)
✅ Incumbent Jessica Miranda won the race for Hamilton County Auditor.
Caleb Price (Ohio House of Representatives, District 30)
❌ Caleb Price lost the race to represent Ohio House District 30 to Republican incumbent Mike Odioso.
Ohio House District 30 covers much of western Hamilton County in southwestern Ohio, including portions of western townships and municipalities such as Green Township and Delhi Township.
Christopher Elder (Ohio House of Representatives, District 82)
❌ Libertarian candidate Christopher Elder lost the race to represent Ohio House District 82 to incumbent Republican Roy Klopfenstein.
Ohio House District 82 covers all of Paulding, Putnam, and Van Wert counties, along with a portion of southern Defiance County.
Editor’s Note: We removed Zach Hall from our list of out LGBTQ+ candidates, as he withdrew his candidacy ahead of Election Day. To read more about the video evidence of animal abuse against Hall, click here.
Ignite Action
- To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here.
- To find contact information for your Ohio senator, click here.
- If you are a young LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are an transgender adult in need of immediate help, contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
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