Ohio State Representative, District 59
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 59 · 2 candidates with a page
The seat is held. Rep. Tex Fischer (R) has held the seat since January 2025 (in the Ohio House since June 2024, representing District 58 before 2025) and is running for re-election.
Sources: Ohio House of Representatives District 59 · Tex Fischer
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio House | Ohio House, Ohio's 59th District | Ohio State Representative, District 59 |
Counties: Columbiana · Mahoning
Last time, 2024: Tex Fischer (Republican) 57.1% · 34,950 votes; Laura Schaeffer (Democratic) 42.9% · 26,294 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.
- Tex Fischer's career experience includes working as a political strategist.
- he served as the National Field Director for the American Conservation Coalition from 2018 to 2021. (per campaign)
- Born and raised in Youngstown, Tex now lives in Canfield (per campaign)
9 of 11 sections researched · 25 sources
6 of 11 sections researched · 10 sources
Tex Fischer
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 |
Wayne Penny Jr.
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | researched |
| claims | not researched |
| record | none found |
| money | none found |
| interests | not 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: Tex Fischer has 5 entries and Wayne Penny Jr. has 2 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Tex Fischer's record in office has 6 entries and Wayne Penny Jr.'s has 0. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Jump to a candidate
- Tex Fischer: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Wayne Penny Jr.: 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.
Cost of living
Tex Fischer
None found in the records checked
Wayne Penny Jr.
No one should have to choose between groceries, prescriptions, rent, and keeping the lights on. Lower costs and protect seniors on fixed incomes.
Source: Wayne Penny Jr. for Ohio House | A Veteran for the Valley, A Voice for the People
Energy and utility bills
Tex Fischer
A healthy economy requires affordable and reliable energy. We have an abundance of natural resources in Ohio, but we are facing an energy crisis as electric bills have risen and our grid struggles to meet the demands of our economy.
Source: About Tex Fischer
Wayne Penny Jr.
None found in the records checked
Health care
Tex Fischer
Despite trillions of dollars of federal spending, the cost of healthcare is higher than ever. Our healthcare system has ballooned into a massive bureaucracy: great for insurance companies and hospital conglomerates, but bad for patients and care providers.
Source: About Tex Fischer
Wayne Penny Jr.
None found in the records checked
Housing
Tex Fischer
The average age of a first-time homebuyer is now 40. Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream, but it feels out of reach for millions of younger Ohioans.
Source: About Tex Fischer
Wayne Penny Jr.
None found in the records checked
Property taxes
Tex Fischer
Property taxes have skyrocketed, leaving homeowners stuck with huge tax bills. I am proud of the work we have done to end the unvoted property tax increases that have hammered homeowners and bring greater transparency for tax levies, but we have more work to do.
Source: About Tex Fischer
Wayne Penny Jr.
None found in the records checked
Public schools
Tex Fischer
None found in the records checked
Wayne Penny Jr.
Strong schools build strong communities. Fair funding, modern facilities, and real support for teachers, career-tech, and special education.
Source: Wayne Penny Jr. for Ohio House | A Veteran for the Valley, A Voice for the People
Workers and wages
Tex Fischer
No Ohio worker should be forced to compete with an illegal immigrant for a job. That’s why I authored Ohio’s E-Verify law.
Source: About Tex Fischer
Wayne Penny Jr.
None found in the records checked
Youth sports and recreation
Tex Fischer
None found in the records checked
Wayne Penny Jr.
Every child deserves a chance to succeed. Youth sports grants, turf fields, rec centers, parks, and after-school programs.
Source: Wayne Penny Jr. for Ohio House | A Veteran for the Valley, A Voice for the People
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.
Tex Fischer
Not yet researched
Wayne Penny Jr.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fischer (R) | 2024-06-26 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 58 |
| Fischer (R) | 2025-01-01 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 59 |
| Fischer (R) | 2025-04-09 | vote | 2025-04-09 (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 |
| Fischer (R) | 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 |
| Fischer (R) | 2025-06-25 | vote | 2025-06-25 (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 |
| Fischer (R) | 2025-07-21 | vote | 2025-07-21 (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 |
| Fischer (R) | 2025-12-19 | bill | 2025-12-19 (bill): Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. D. J. Swearingen, of House Bill 246 (136th General Assembly), Require certain construction industry employe |
| Fischer (R) | 2026-06-10 | vote | 2026-06-10 (vote): Voted yes on adopting the joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require identification to vote, placing it on the Novembe |
Tex Fischer
-
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
-
December 19, 2025 · bill
Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. D. J. Swearingen, of House Bill 246 (136th General Assembly), Require certain construction industry employers to use E-verify, signed into law December 19, 2025, effective March 20, 2026.
Sources: House Bill 246 - Require certain construction industry employers to use E-verify · House Bill 246
-
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
-
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
-
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 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
Wayne Penny Jr.
None found in the records checked
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 |
Tex Fischer
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 12,670.90 | 9.9% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 47,816.27 | 37.5% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 14,036.51 | 11.0% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 52,969.70 | 41.5% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 12, 2026: raised $26,707, spent $60,487, cash on hand $67,006.
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
Wayne Penny Jr.
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
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
- Mahoning County Candidates for the General Election November 3, 2026 · Mahoning County Board of Elections · accessed 2026-09-30
- Ohio House of Representatives District 59 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Tex Fischer · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- About Tex Fischer · Fischer for Ohio · accessed 2026-09-21
- Representative Tex Fischer - Legislation · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-21
- House Bill 246 - Require certain construction industry employers to use E-verify · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-21
- Campaign finance search · Ohio Secretary of State · accessed 2026-09-21
- 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
- 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
- https://ohio-chamber-object-storage-m0uzx.sevalla.storage/uploads/2026/July/13/FOR%20IMMEDIATE%20RELEASE.pdf
- https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/2026-bfa-pac-grades-and-endorsements-ohio-general-election
- https://ohiolife.org/ohio-right-to-life-pac-announces-2026-general-election-candidate-recommendations/
- https://ohiogop.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/columbiana-county-slate-card.pdf
- https://ohiogop.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/mahoning-county-slate-card.pdf
- https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/ohio/
- 2025 financial disclosure statement, Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
- House Journal, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (135th General Assembly) · Ohio House of Representatives · 2024-06-26 · accessed 2026-09-25
- House Bill 246 · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-25
- House Bill 96 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- Senate Joint Resolution 10 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- Wayne Penny Jr. · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- https://uawpower.org/states/ohio
- OFT Votes 2026: Endorsements and Voter Information · Ohio Federation of Teachers · accessed 2026-10-20
- Wayne Penny Jr. for Ohio House | A Veteran for the Valley, A Voice for the People · Committee to Elect Wayne Penny Jr. (campaign website) · 2026-10-14 · accessed 2026-10-14
Quick answers
When is the 2026 Ohio State Representative, District 59 election?
The election for Ohio State Representative, District 59 is on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for Ohio State Representative, District 59 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Representative, District 59, in surname order: Tex Fischer (Republican), Wayne Penny Jr. (Democratic).
Who holds the Ohio State Representative, District 59 seat now?
The seat is held by Tex Fischer.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Representative, District 59, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-house-59/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03