Ohio State Representative, District 5
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 5 · 3 candidates with a page
The seat is held. Rep. Meredith Lawson-Rowe (D) has held this seat since January 1, 2025 and is running for re-election, so the seat is held.
Sources: Ohio House of Representatives District 5 · Meredith Lawson-Rowe · Representative Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe - District 5
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio House | Ohio House, Ohio's 5th District | Ohio State Representative, District 5 |
Counties: Franklin
Last time, 2024: Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe (Democratic) 100.0% · 32,395 votes.
Sources: 2024 Official Election Results · LaRose certifies official 2024 general election results
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.
6 of 11 sections researched · 7 sources
4 of 11 sections researched · 5 sources
- Executive administrative assistant.
- Former member, Reynoldsburg City Council (elected 2019), and council president in 2023.
9 of 11 sections researched · 29 sources
Richard Cole
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | researched |
| claims | not researched |
| record | not researched |
| money | none found |
| interests | not researched |
| polling | not researched |
| elections | researched |
| endorsements | researched |
| sources | researched |
Eboney Eldridge
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | none found |
| claims | not researched |
| record | not researched |
| money | none found |
| interests | not researched |
| polling | not researched |
| elections | researched |
| endorsements | none found |
| sources | researched |
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | researched |
| claims | not researched |
| record | researched |
| money | researched |
| interests | researched |
| polling | not researched |
| elections | researched |
| endorsements | researched |
| sources | researched |
The race in pictures
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Status |
|---|
| None found in the records checked |
A note on our coverage
Read before the columns: where one candidate has more entries than another, this says which of the two reasons it is.
Endorsements received: Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe has 7 entries, Richard Cole has 1 entry and Eboney Eldridge has 0 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Where they stand: Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe has 3 entries, Richard Cole has 3 entries and Eboney Eldridge has 0 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe's record in office has 6 entries, Eboney Eldridge's has 0 and Richard Cole's has 0. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Sources: Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe has 14 entries, Eboney Eldridge has 5 entries and Richard Cole has 5 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Jump to a candidate
- Richard Cole: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Eboney Eldridge: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
Where they stand
Their own words, by issue, with the date, the venue and the link. A paraphrase is marked as one.
Abortion (asked: under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?)
Richard Cole
Very. Very rare instances.
Source: Richard Cole, State Rep., Dist. 5 (2026 General Election candidate questionnaire)
Eboney Eldridge
None found in the records checked
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
None found in the records checked
Civil rights
Richard Cole
None found in the records checked
Eboney Eldridge
None found in the records checked
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
This bill not only honors the trailblazing service of the men of the 761st Tank Battalion Unit but will also serve to remind us of the progress we have made as a nation, and how far we still have to go to ensure equality for all.
Source: Reps. Thomas and Lawson-Rowe Pass "761st Tank Battalion Day" Bill
Energy supply (asked: most reliable source for growing electricity demand)
Richard Cole
Natural Gas for home heating and peak power demands, Coal for electricity, and fossil fuels for transportation.
Source: Richard Cole, State Rep., Dist. 5 (2026 General Election candidate questionnaire)
Eboney Eldridge
None found in the records checked
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
None found in the records checked
Gas tax holiday
Richard Cole
None found in the records checked
Eboney Eldridge
None found in the records checked
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
While this may provide relief for a season, high gas prices are only a portion of the broader affordability crisis facing families across our state.
Minimum wage
Richard Cole
I believe that a person can work for as much or as little as he or she wants. The main thing is to become the best at whatever you do serving others and the money will come.
Source: Richard Cole, State Rep., Dist. 5 (2026 General Election candidate questionnaire)
Eboney Eldridge
None found in the records checked
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
None found in the records checked
Veterans
Richard Cole
None found in the records checked
Eboney Eldridge
None found in the records checked
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
Corporal Mitchell and Private First Class Dixon embody the best of House District 5. They paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
Source: Rep. Lawson-Rowe's "Mitchell" and "Dixon" Highways Signed into Law
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.
Richard Cole
Not yet researched
Eboney Eldridge
Not yet researched
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
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.
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Person | Date | Kind | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawson-Rowe (D) | 2025-01-01 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 5 |
| Lawson-Rowe (D) | 2025-04-09 | vote | 2025-04-09 (vote): Voted no on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House-passed version) (House Bill 96); the House vote was 60-39 and t |
| Lawson-Rowe (D) | 2025-06-11 | vote | 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 Bi |
| Lawson-Rowe (D) | 2025-06-25 | vote | 2025-06-25 (vote): Voted no on the conference committee report on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House Bill 96); the House vote was |
| Lawson-Rowe (D) | 2025-07-21 | vote | 2025-07-21 (vote): Voted against overriding the governor's veto of item 66 in House Bill 96; the item removed local authority to place replacement property-tax |
| Lawson-Rowe (D) | 2025-12-19 | bill | 2025-12-19 (bill): Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. Kevin D. Miller, of House Bill 247 (136th General Assembly), titled, per the Ohio Legislature, "Revise dog " |
| Lawson-Rowe (D) | 2026-06-10 | vote | 2026-06-10 (vote): Voted no on adopting the joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require identification to vote, placing it on the November |
Richard Cole
Not yet researched
Eboney Eldridge
Not yet researched
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
-
June 10, 2026 · vote
Voted no 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
-
December 19, 2025 · bill
Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. Kevin D. Miller, of House Bill 247 (136th General Assembly), titled, per the Ohio Legislature, "Revise dog law, including dangerous and vicious dogs" (Avery's Law), signed into law December 19, 2025.
-
July 21, 2025 · vote
Voted against overriding 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
-
June 25, 2025 · vote
Voted no 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
-
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
-
April 9, 2025 · vote
Voted no 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
Money
Totals and donors exactly as filed with the FEC or the Ohio Secretary of State, each figure with its filing link.
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Status |
|---|
| None found in the records checked |
Richard Cole
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, every name variant listed in _staging/d2/money-legislative.json
Eboney Eldridge
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, every name variant listed in _staging/d2/money-legislative.json
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 10,467.02 | 31.9% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 4,783.38 | 14.6% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 12,085.54 | 36.8% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 5,523.03 | 16.8% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 12, 2026: raised $22,553, spent $15,250, cash on hand $17,609.
Ohio campaigns were due to file pre-general reports on October 22, covering activity through October 14, 2026. They are not in these figures, which come from the latest report in our records, dated June 12, 2026.
Sources: Campaign Finance Data · Campaign Finance: Cover Page search · Campaign Finance
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
Not yet researched
Sources
- Ohio elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-19 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Ohio House of Representatives District 5 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Meredith Lawson-Rowe · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Representative Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe - District 5 · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2026-09-21 · accessed 2026-09-21
- Richard Cole · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Campaign Finance Data · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-19
- Campaign Finance: Cover Page search · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-19
- Campaign Finance · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-19
- https://ohiogop.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/franklin-county-slate-card.pdf
- Richard Cole, State Rep., Dist. 5 (2026 General Election candidate questionnaire) · iVoterGuide · 2026-10-13 · accessed 2026-10-14
- Eboney Eldridge · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- House Bill 247 - 136th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature · 2025-12-19 · accessed 2026-09-21
- House Bill 96: votes · Ohio General Assembly
- Senate Joint Resolution 10: votes · Ohio General Assembly
- 2024 Official Election Results · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-21
- Rep. Lawson-Rowe Votes No on Gas Tax Holiday · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2026-09-30 · accessed 2026-09-30
- Rep. Lawson-Rowe's "Mitchell" and "Dixon" Highways Signed into Law · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2026-09-03 · accessed 2026-09-30
- Reps. Thomas and Lawson-Rowe Pass "761st Tank Battalion Day" Bill · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2026-06-11 · accessed 2026-09-30
- Meredith Lawson-Rowe biography (Reynoldsburg City Council, Ward 4, elected 2019; council president 2023) · Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-11-01
- https://oft-aft.org/2026election
- https://ohio-chamber-object-storage-m0uzx.sevalla.storage/uploads/2026/July/13/FOR%20IMMEDIATE%20RELEASE.pdf
- https://theoecactionfund.org/2026-endorsements/
- https://gunsensevoter.org/states/oh/voterguide/
- https://gunsensevoter.org/faq/
- https://ohea.org/oea-candidate-recommendations/
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-ohio/elections
- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Announces State Legislature, Supreme Court Endorsements · 2026-07-20
- 2026 Abortion Forward endorsements · Abortion Forward · 2026-10-01 · accessed 2026-10-22
- Abortion Forward releases slate of candidates who respect will of voters · Abortion Forward · 2026-10-01 · accessed 2026-10-22
- 2025 financial disclosure statement, Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
- House Bill 96 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- Senate Joint Resolution 10 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
Quick answers
When is the 2026 Ohio State Representative, District 5 election?
The election for Ohio State Representative, District 5 is on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for Ohio State Representative, District 5 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Representative, District 5, in surname order: Richard Cole (Republican), Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe (Democratic). Write-in candidate, not printed on the ballot: Eboney Eldridge.
Who holds the Ohio State Representative, District 5 seat now?
The seat is held by Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Representative, District 5, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-house-5/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03