This article is part of the Voters Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
The information on this page reflects Ohio's new State Senate and State House districts that determine elections in 2024 and go into effect in 2025, which may be different from your current districts.
Steve Demetriou
Republican
Candidate Email: info@steveforohiohouse.com
Volunteer / Community Service: I serve on the Parish Council at my church. I am also a member of VFW Post 6519.
Training / Experience: I served for five years as an active duty infantry officer in the Army. During that time I completed Ranger and Airborne training, and led a reconnaissance platoon in Afghanistan. After the military I started, led, and grew a business from just three employees to over sixty, which I successfully sold. I currently own and run businesses with my family. I am also serving my first term as a State Representative. My wife, Carly, and I are blessed with three boys under the age of 4.
Website: steveforohiohouse.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SteveforOhioHouse/
Twitter: steve4ohiohouse
Campaign phone: 216-200-6862
Campaign address: 8472 E. Washington St., Suite 226, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Education: B.S., Economics – U.S. Military Academy at West Point
What are your top priorities and how will you address them?
As your state representative, my top priority is providing excellent customer service to my constituents. I’ve focused on addressing property taxes, supporting small businesses, and enhancing community safety. I sponsored HB 57, which ties the homestead exemption to inflation to help seniors and disabled veterans save on property taxes. I also introduced HB 435 to create a grant program for small manufacturing businesses to modernize and upskill. Additionally, I supported funding for modernizing our 911 platform and providing more training resources for law enforcement. Moving forward, I aim to explore expanding the homestead exemption and owner-occupancy credit for more property tax relief.
What changes do you support or oppose to voting and elections policy?
I supported initiatives and legislation that ensure only American citizens can vote in Ohio elections and contribute to candidate and ballot initiative committees. I’m committed to advancing common-sense election policies like these. Looking ahead, I’d like to explore ways to increase civic engagement and transparency in our elections process by getting more Ohioans involved in elections administration through our local boards of election.
How should government bring economic and job opportunities to Ohio?
As a business owner, I’m passionate about making Ohio a prime destination for business growth. We have strong economic development resources like the Ohio Department of Development, JobsOhio, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which are excellent at attracting and supporting businesses. I value connecting local business owners with these resources. However, Ohio needs a friendlier tax environment. To attract and retain businesses, we must reduce or eliminate state income taxes, rising property taxes, municipal income taxes, and the corporate activities tax. Providing tax relief is crucial for incentivizing job creation and economic growth in Ohio.
What are your aspirations for K-12 and higher education?
I am dedicated to prioritizing students and families in our education system. I backed additional funding for career technical schools, and supported raising the starting salaries for teachers. I also advocated for the expansion of Ohio’s school choice programs, including options for special needs students. Recently, the General Assembly, with my support, allocated an additional $2 billion annually to K-12 schools. Despite progress, more work is needed to fairly distribute funds across districts. Additionally, I am concerned about rising antisemitism on college campuses and will continue to work with Jewish organizations to address this issue.
Under what circumstances should the state support or check local government?
The main concern I’ve heard about empowering local government this General Assembly is property zoning. In places like Geauga County, residents value local officials’ control over zoning regulations. I agree‚Äîlocal governments should manage their own zoning without state interference. Some local zoning and permitting departments are overwhelmed by increased demand. I’m committed to finding solutions to ease these burdens, potentially by directing more resources to local departments.
State your position on healthcare policy.
Serving on the Ohio House Public Health Committee has been enlightening, giving me firsthand insight into key healthcare issues facing Ohioans. We’ve found bipartisan support for increasing healthcare cost transparency and supporting healthcare workers. I co-sponsored HB 49, the Hospital Price Transparency Act, to help prevent surprise medical bills by ensuring upfront cost estimates for procedures. I also voted for HB 452 to protect healthcare workers from rising workplace violence. There is still much work to do in Ohio to ensure healthcare is affordable and efficient for both patients and workers.
State your position on environmental policy and natural resource management?
I’m excited about Northeast Ohio’s future, particularly with our access to a large body of fresh water in Lake Erie. I co-sponsored HCR 14 to urge Congress to continue to provide resources for Lake Erie and HB 308 to classify nuclear energy as green, recognizing its safety and effectiveness. I support protecting Ohio’s environment and natural resources, provided it doesn’t increase costs or hinder economic growth.
What role, if any, should government take to ensure no person is discriminated against?
The 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States ensures that every American and Ohioan has equal protection under the law. I will continue to support, defend, and uphold the Constitutions of the United States and Ohio on behalf of my constituents.
Mark Curtis
Democrat
Candidate Email: curtis4ohio@yahoo.com
Volunteer / Community Service: Volunteer coach in Twinsburg’s baseball, basketball, and football recreation leagues
Training / Experience: 30 years experience in higher education administration and public K-12 education. Served 4 years as a board member for the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center. Served 8 years as an elected Board Member of Twinsburg City Schools. Served as the board’s legislative liaison. Served on various committees of the Ohio School Boards Association including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as well as the Federal Legislative Advocacy Group Committee. I have lobbied on both the state and federal level.
Campaign address: 10472 Woodchuck Ct. Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6155481994
Twitter: Curtis74113
Campaign phone: 216-701-5861
Education: Otterbein University-Bachelors, Hiram College-Masters
What are your top priorities and how will you address them?
My greatest priority is increasing investment in public education and eliminating tax dollars funding private schools. I am also very concerned with attacks on marginalized populations and government involvement in decisions that should be made by individuals and their doctors. The general assembly has continued siphon public dollars to fund private, unaccountable schools when 90% of students in Ohio attend public schools. I will work to end this unconstitutional practice and instead focus on ensuring our public schools have the resources needed to deliver quality education to the vast majority of our students. I will also work to draft policy that protects our most vulnerable students from discrimination.
What changes do you support or oppose to voting and elections policy?
I support expanding access to voting by increasing the number of ballot drop boxes statewide as well as allowing same day voter registration. I oppose the current arbitrary practice of purging voters from the rolls. Ohio has some of the most stringent rules for voting which disenfranchises many and discourages them from voting. Voting is a fundamental constitutional right and laws should make it easier, not more difficult to participate. As a African-American, my ancestors fought and died for the right to vote. It is sad that this continues in the 21st century, however, I intend to continue this fight.
How should government bring economic and job opportunities to Ohio?
Government must first ensure that public education is designed to obtain the necessary skills needed to compete in a global society. This requires more focus on instruction and skill building instead of constant standardized tests that do not measure what students know and are able to do. Government can provide economic incentives to companies who work with public schools to create articulation agreements that provide a pathway to internships and apprenticeships upon graduation. Not all students go to college. It is important that they know what skills and competencies companies need that will allow a seamless transition into the workforce.
What are your aspirations for K-12 and higher education?
I would work to ensure the General Assembly honors their commitment to fully fund the Fair School Funding model that is currently being phased in. This is currently the closest Ohio has ever been in addressing funding disparities in public K-12 education. I hope to increase state aide to public and private institutions of high learning. As tuition costs continue to increase, we must work to lessen reliance on student loans.
Under what circumstances should the state support or check local government?
I believe the state has an obligation to honor home rule and allow local control whenever possible. When the rights of it’s citizens in infringed upon, I believe government also has a responsibility to act to protect those rights. I believe it was wrong for the government to diminish the role of the State Board of Education and take place control of our Ohio Department of Education under the Governor. This act took away the ability of those who were duly elected to perform their duties. As such, it represents a gross overreach and abuse by the Government.
State your position on healthcare policy.
I believe decisions involving personal healthcare should be made by the individual and their healthcare provider. I believe the Government has no business dictating what anyone does with their body. Voters resounding defeated Issue 1 in the spring and overwhelming supported the measure in the fall. Our elected officials in the statehouse should respect the will of the people, however this is currently not the case. Overriding the Governors veto of HB 68 is just another example of government taking healthcare decisions out of the hands of parents and into the hands of politicians. This is wrong, plain and simple.
State your position on environmental policy and natural resource management?
We must do more to become less reliant on fossil fuels and continue to invest more in renewal energy if we are to survive. Global warming is real and we are seeing the effects everyday. Communities must also continue to recycle to further reduce our carbon footprint. I believe government can and should provide economic incentives to companies who work to transition away from practices that harm the environment. Government should do more to provide tax incentives to those who purchase solar panels or buy electric vehicles. These commitments will extend our life expectancy as well as provide a better life for our children.
What role, if any, should government take to ensure no person is discriminated against?
Government must ensure all institutions foster an environment of inclusion. Currently, there are policies being drafted to discourage and penalize institutions that embrace the practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Government has a responsibility to protect ALL of it’s citizens from discrimination. When elected officials fail to uphold this responsibility, they must be removed. Gerrymandering has unfortunately allowed discriminatory laws to be passed with little to no accountability. Voters must act to rectify this problem and restore integrity and protect our most vulnerable marginalized populations.
