Cracked BuckeyeCracked Buckeye

Election 2024

Ohio State Representative, District 68

November 5, 2024 · general election · District 68 · 1 candidate with a page

Correct this page · hello@crackedbuckeye.com

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by surname. Ohio rotates the order candidates appear in by precinct, so no order on this page is the order on a ballot.

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Republican · Ohio State Representative, District 68, since 2023

  • Civil engineer and business executive
  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and business administration, Ohio Northern University, 1994
  • Newark, Ohio

9 of 11 sections researched · 20 sources

Michael E. Smith

Democratic

Not yet researched

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Coverage, by section9 of 11 sections researched.Profile: 8 entriesOn the ballot: 1 entryWhere they stand: 7 entriesWhat they have said, checked: Not yet researchedRecord in office: 6 entriesMoney: 1 entryFinancial interests: 37 entriesPolling and approval: Not yet researchedElections: 2 entriesEndorsements: 4 entriesSources: 11 entries9 of 11 sections researched · 20 sources
Coverage, by section9 of 11 sections researched.Source: Cracked Buckeye coverage record for Thaddeus J. Claggett, 9 of 11 sections researched · as of 2026-09-29 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
SectionState
profileresearched
ballotresearched
positionsresearched
claimsnot researched
recordresearched
moneyresearched
interestsresearched
pollingnot researched
electionsresearched
endorsementsresearched
sourcesresearched

The race in pictures

Polls, Ohio State Representative, District 68, as publishedNo poll of this race is on file yet.None found in the records checked
Polls, Ohio State Representative, District 68, as publishedNo poll of this race is on file yet.Source: fec.gov · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Status
None found in the records checked
Money, raised, spent and cash on hand, as filedRaised, as filed: Claggett not yet researched.RaisedClaggett (R)Thaddeus J. Claggett: raised not yet researchedNot yet researchedSpentClaggett (R)Thaddeus J. Claggett: spent not yet researchedNot yet researchedCash on handClaggett (R)Thaddeus J. Claggett: cash on hand not yet researchedNot yet researched
Money, raised, spent and cash on hand, as filedRaised, as filed: Claggett not yet researched.Source: FEC filings · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
GroupItemUSDNote
RaisedClaggett (R)Not yet researched
SpentClaggett (R)Not yet researched
Cash on handClaggett (R)Not yet researched
Jump to a candidate

Where they stand

Their own words, by issue, with the date, the venue and the link. A paraphrase is marked as one.

Abortion

Thaddeus J. Claggett

supports the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.  He can be trusted to support the Heartbeat law against liberal lawsuits.

September 22, 2026 · Campaign website

Source: The Conservative Case for Claggett

Education

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Claggett supports state and local control of education.  He opposes federal bureaucrats telling us who should use which bathroom.

September 22, 2026 · Campaign website

Source: The Conservative Case for Claggett

Energy and utility bills

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Claggett supports a true “all of the above” energy strategy—as long as it is free market.

September 22, 2026 · Campaign website

Source: The Conservative Case for Claggett

Guns

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Thad Claggett supports the Second Amendment. In fact, he lives it.

September 22, 2026 · Campaign website

Source: The Conservative Case for Claggett

Jobs and the economy

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Thad Claggett supports reduced regulation.  As a businessman, Claggett knows how the frivolous government regulations empower politicians and hurt Ohio’s economic competitiveness.

September 22, 2026 · Campaign website

Source: The Conservative Case for Claggett

Taxes

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Thad Claggett supports low taxes because property and freedom are inseparable. He can be trusted to vote against tax increases in the state legislature.

September 22, 2026 · Campaign website

Source: The Conservative Case for Claggett

Why they are running

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Thad Claggett is a proven conservative who lives our community values every day.

September 22, 2026 · Campaign website

Source: The Conservative Case for Claggett

What they have said, checked

Newest first. Each check is shown in the checker's own rating word, with their name, the date and the link.

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Not yet researched

Record in office

Dated actions. Any evaluation of an action is printed with the name of whoever made it and the link.

Record in office, dated entries, both candidates on one axis6 record entries from 2025 to 2026; 5 of them votes; 1 office held on the record.Claggett (R)Ohio State Representative, District 68, 2023 to present2025-01-08 (bill): Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. James M. Hoops, of House Bill 257 (135th General Assembly), Authorize certain public bodies to meet virtual2025-04-09 (vote): Voted yes on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House-passed version) (House Bill 96); the House vote was 60-39 and 2025-06-11 (vote): Voted no on whether the House would concur in the Senate's amendments to the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House Bi2025-06-25 (vote): Voted yes on the conference committee report on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House Bill 96); the House vote wa2025-07-21 (vote): Voted to override the governor's veto of item 66 in House Bill 96; the item removed local authority to place replacement property-tax levies2026-06-10 (vote): Voted yes on adopting the joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require identification to vote, placing it on the Novembe
Record in office, dated entries, both candidates on one axis6 record entries from 2025 to 2026; 5 of them votes; 1 office held on the record.Source: Cracked Buckeye person record for Claggett (R), 6 dated entries · as of 2026-06-10 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
PersonDateKindEntry
Claggett (R)2023officeOhio State Representative, District 68
Claggett (R)2025-01-08bill2025-01-08 (bill): Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. James M. Hoops, of House Bill 257 (135th General Assembly), Authorize certain public bodies to meet virtual
Claggett (R)2025-04-09vote2025-04-09 (vote): Voted yes on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House-passed version) (House Bill 96); the House vote was 60-39 and
Claggett (R)2025-06-11vote2025-06-11 (vote): Voted no on whether the House would concur in the Senate's amendments to the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House Bi
Claggett (R)2025-06-25vote2025-06-25 (vote): Voted yes on the conference committee report on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House Bill 96); the House vote wa
Claggett (R)2025-07-21vote2025-07-21 (vote): Voted to override the governor's veto of item 66 in House Bill 96; the item removed local authority to place replacement property-tax levies
Claggett (R)2026-06-10vote2026-06-10 (vote): Voted yes on adopting the joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require identification to vote, placing it on the Novembe

Thaddeus J. Claggett

  1. June 10, 2026 · vote

    Voted yes on adopting the joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require identification to vote, placing it on the November 3, 2026 ballot as Issue 3 (Senate Joint Resolution 10); the House vote was 62-30 and the motion passed.

    Sources: Senate Joint Resolution 10: votes · Senate Joint Resolution 10

  2. July 21, 2025 · vote

    Voted to override the governor's veto of item 66 in House Bill 96; the item removed local authority to place replacement property-tax levies and certain emergency levies on the ballot (the House vote was 61-28, override succeeded).

    Sources: House Bill 96: votes · House Bill 96

  3. June 25, 2025 · vote

    Voted yes on the conference committee report on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House Bill 96); the House vote was 59-38 and the motion passed.

    Sources: House Bill 96: votes · House Bill 96

  4. June 11, 2025 · vote

    Voted no on whether the House would concur in the Senate's amendments to the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House Bill 96); the House vote was 1-85 and the motion failed.

    Sources: House Bill 96: votes · House Bill 96

  5. April 9, 2025 · vote

    Voted yes on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House-passed version) (House Bill 96); the House vote was 60-39 and the motion passed.

    Sources: House Bill 96: votes · House Bill 96

  6. January 8, 2025 · bill

    Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. James M. Hoops, of House Bill 257 (135th General Assembly), Authorize certain public bodies to meet virtually, signed into law January 8, 2025 (effective April 9, 2025).

    Source: House Bill 257, 135th General Assembly

Money

Totals and donors exactly as filed with the FEC or the Ohio Secretary of State, each figure with its filing link.

Itemized contributions from inside Ohio, share of all itemizedNo filing in this race breaks itemized contributions down by state.None found in the records checked
Itemized contributions from inside Ohio, share of all itemizedNo filing in this race breaks itemized contributions down by state.Source: fec.gov · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Status
None found in the records checked

Thaddeus J. Claggett

Where the money went, as filedNo campaign finance filing is on file for Thaddeus J. Claggett in this race yet.None found in the records checked
Where the money went, as filedNo campaign finance filing is on file for Thaddeus J. Claggett in this race yet.Source: fec.gov · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Status
None found in the records checked

Totals as filed

None found in the records checked

Top donors, as filed

None found in the records checked

Outside spending

None found in the records checked

In-state share

Not yet researched

Checked: Ohio Secretary of State candidate cover-page export, 2026 reports

The result

Past election results, share of the voteNo prior race on file for either candidate; both keep a labeled group on this axis.ClaggettThaddeus J. Claggett: no prior race on fileno prior race on file
Past election results, share of the voteNo prior race on file for either candidate; both keep a labeled group on this axis.Source: Ohio Secretary of State, official canvass · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
GroupItemPCTNote
Claggettno prior race on file

Thaddeus J. Claggett · certified 2024-12-02

CandidateVotesShare
Thaddeus J. Claggett35,44858.9%
Michael E. Smith24,77541.1%

Sources: 2024 Official Election Results · LaRose certifies official 2024 general election results

Sources

  1. Ohio House of Representatives District 68 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
  2. 2024 Official Election Results · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-21
  3. LaRose certifies official 2024 general election results · The Highland County Press · 2024-12-03 · accessed 2026-09-24
  4. Ohio elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
  5. Thaddeus Claggett · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
  6. Claggett for Ohio · Claggett for Ohio · accessed 2026-09-22
  7. Representative Thaddeus J. Claggett - District 68 · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-22
  8. Campaign Finance Data · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-19
  9. Campaign Finance: Cover Page search · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-19
  10. Campaign Finance · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-19
  11. House Bill 96: votes · Ohio General Assembly
  12. Senate Joint Resolution 10: votes · Ohio General Assembly
  13. https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/2026-bfa-pac-grades-and-endorsements-ohio-general-election
  14. https://ohiolife.org/ohio-right-to-life-pac-announces-2026-general-election-candidate-recommendations/
  15. https://ohiogop.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/licking-county-slate-card.pdf
  16. https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/ohio/
  17. 2025 financial disclosure statement, Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
  18. House Bill 96 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
  19. Senate Joint Resolution 10 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
  20. House Bill 257, 135th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22

Quick answers

When was the 2024 Ohio State Representative, District 68 election?

The election for Ohio State Representative, District 68 was held on November 5, 2024.

Who ran for Ohio State Representative, District 68 in 2024?

On the ballot for Ohio State Representative, District 68, in surname order: Thaddeus J. Claggett (Republican), Michael E. Smith (Democratic).

Who won the 2024 Ohio State Representative, District 68 election?

Thaddeus J. Claggett won the election for Ohio State Representative, District 68. Results as certified: Thaddeus J. Claggett 58.9%, Michael E. Smith 41.1%.

Cite and data

Cite this page as:

Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Representative, District 68, 2024", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2024/ohio-house-68/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].

How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03