Politics

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.

Latest in Politics
Audio This News is So Gay (11/4/26): Finally landing the plane of this wild election season

Featuring: Susan Tebben (Ohio Capital Journal) and Lauren Chapman (The Sacramento Bee)

Betrayed, disappointed, hurt — and backing Democrats anyway

Many trans voters and their loved ones said they’re resigned to voting for Democrats in competitive races who don’t fully support them, fearing a worse alternative in Republicans.

Audio This News is So Gay (10/28/26): Continuing to weather the worsening storm of anti-LGBTQ+ ads

Featuring: Jasmine Mithani (The 19th) and Ben Jodway (The Buckeye Flame)

Vice President JD Vance: The Ohio ‘hillbilly’ who learned to punch down

'I am a gay man in Sandusky, Ohio. When the vice president uses the suggestion that a man is gay to get a laugh, I recognize the move.'

Character, or why Mr. Ramaswamy’s ad didn’t just attack Dr. Acton 

Ramaswamy’s ad didn’t just attack Dr. Acton; it attacked all women, cis and trans, who remain the largest demographic of sexual assault survivors and the targets of sexual violence in all its forms.

GLAAD releases Ohio Accountability Project with fact-based LGBTQ+ records of major midterm candidates

Amid an unprecedented deluge of anti-LGBTQ+ campaign ads, the fact sheets are intended to help voters hold leaders accountable.

U.S. Senate candidate Greg Levy’s socialist campaign draws LGBTQ+ voters in contentious midterms

‘The only way to really fight for trans equality for LGBTQ+ liberation is to fight for socialism and overturn capitalism for good.’

‘Vote With Love’ is Ohio LGBTQ+ group’s mantra to mobilize voters

PFLAG is hoping personal connections will encourage voter registration and turnout.

Who is ‘obsessed with men playing in women’s sports’? JD Vance says Democrats, but Ohio Republicans can’t get enough.

Republicans mentioned transgender-related topics 31 times at recent Ohio campaign events, vs. Democrats’ zero times.

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