Ohio Voters Elect Rainbow Wave of LGBTQ+ Candidates to Public Office

In total, more than 15 out LGBTQ+ candidates were elected to public office in the 2023 general election.

Nov 8, 2023 at 10:34 am

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Photo: The Buckeye Flame

Connor Moreton won a seat on the St. Bernard Village Council

This story was originally published by the Buckeye Flame and republished here with permission.

More than 20 out LGBTQ+ Ohioans ran for public office in the 2023 general election, campaigning to represent voters in major cities and small villages and townships across the state.

With a unprecedented rise in anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-transgender legislation across the country, out LGBTQ+ candidates faced a range of political climates in their own communities. While some candidates faced intense anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, other experienced overwhelming community support.

In total, Ohio voters elected more than 15 out LGBTQ+ candidates to public office.

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Brittney Klockowski for Weston City Council: Brittney Klockowski won a seat to represent residents in the small, conservative Wood County community of Weston as member of Weston City Council.
Cindy Strebig for Lakewood City Council: Prominent out LGBTQ+ activist Cindy Strebig ran unopposed, winning a seat to represent residents on Lakewood City Council in Cuyahoga County.
Connor Moreton for Saint Bernard Council: Out LGBTQ+ candidate Connor Moreton won the race to represent residents in Saint Bernard, a small village in Hamilton County. Moreton was elected to one of seven open seats on Saint Bernard City Council.
Damon Sherry for Bowling Green City Council: Newcomer and out queer and non-binary person Damon Sherry beat their Republican opponent by more than 120 votes, winning a seat to represent Ward 1 residents on Bowling Green City Council.
Deb Steele for Clinton Township Fiscal Officer: Incumbent Deb Steele, who has been Clinton Township’s Fiscal Officer since 2013, ran unopposed and will retain her seat.
Kari Suhadolnik for Stow-Munroe Falls School Board: After being appointed to the seat in last year, Kari Suhadolnik won the race to retain her position as a member of the the Stow-Munroe Falls School Board in Summit County.
Melissa Anderson for Grove City Council: Melissa Anderson won the race to represent Ward 4 residents in the Columbus suburb of Grove City as a member of Grove City Council.
Merisa Bowers for Gahanna City Council: Merisa Bowers was elected to one of three open seats on Gahanna City Council, receiving more votes than any other candidate.
Jim Petras for Cleveland Heights City Council: Jim Petras won his first race to represent Cleveland Heights residents as a member of Cleveland Heights City Council.
Bobby McDowall for Mogadore Village City Council: Voters elected Bobby McDowall to a fourth term on the Mogadore Village City Council.
Reggie Harris for Cincinnati City Council: Former board chair for Equality Ohio and out LGBTQ+ incumbent Reggie Har ris retained his seat as member of Cincinnati City Council.
Lori Trent for Upper Arlington Schools Board: Lori Trent was elected to one of three open seats on the Upper Arlington School Board, which serves about 6,000 students in the Columbus metropolitan area.
Sam Bowling for Norwood City Council: Sam Bowling won a seat on Norwood City Council, defeating her opponent by more than 200 votes in the Cincinnati suburb.
Sandra Kurt for Akron Clerk of Courts: Sandra Kurt, longtime Summit County Clerk of Courts won the race against Republican candidate Debbie Walsh to become the new Akron Clerk of Courts.
Shannon Hardin for Columbus City Council: Out LGBTQ+ Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin ran unopposed, retaining his seat.
Taylor Sappington for Nelsonville City Auditor: Out LGBTQ+ candidate and incumbent Taylor Sappington was elected to represent Nelsonville residents as City Auditor.
Melody N. Mayle for Golf Manor City Council: Melody N. Mayle becomes now one of two out LGBTQ+ individuals on council.
Charlotte Bruewer for Golf Manor City Council: Charlotte Bruewer becomes now one of two out LGBTQ+ individuals on council.
Brandon Simmons for Columbus City Schools Board: Newcomer Brandon Simmons won a seat on the Columbus City Schools Board of Education.

As we celebrate the winners, we also tip our hats to the numbers LGBTQ+ candidates who ran this year, including Kyle Bruce, Dia Hildenbrand, Lauren Bacans-Grounds, Chandler White, Richard Trojanski and Eric Resnick.

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Their passion for making a difference in their communities — and their willingness to put themselves out there by running for office exemplify leadership and will undoubtedly help blaze the trail for other LGBTQ+ candidates to follow.