Ohio State Representative, District 65
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 65 · 2 candidates with a page
The seat is held. Rep. David Thomas (R) has held the seat since January 2025 and is running for re-election, so the seat is held.
Sources: Ohio House of Representatives District 65 · Representative David Thomas - District 65
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio House | Ohio House, Ohio's 65th District | Ohio State Representative, District 65 |
Counties: Ashtabula · Trumbull
Last time, 2024: David Thomas (Republican) 100.0% · 44,110 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.
- Science teacher, Geneva High School, entering his 29th year, and Science Department Chair (per campaign)
- Second term, member and Council President, Geneva City Council (per campaign)
- Author of the "Cleveland Fishing Guide"; member, Geneva Sustainability Commission (per campaign)
6 of 11 sections researched · 9 sources
- Bachelor's degree, Washington and Lee University, 2015
- Graduate degree, Baldwin Wallace University, 2018
- Born in Ohio
9 of 11 sections researched · 27 sources
John Barbo
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | researched |
| claims | not researched |
| record | not researched |
| money | researched |
| interests | not researched |
| polling | not researched |
| elections | researched |
| endorsements | none found |
| sources | researched |
David Thomas
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: David Thomas has 5 entries and John Barbo has 0 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
David Thomas's record in office has 12 entries and John Barbo'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
- John Barbo: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- David Thomas: 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.
Data centers
John Barbo
I will work to end the wholesale giveaway of our taxes and natural resources to tech companies and data centers.
Source: John's Priorities
David Thomas
None found in the records checked
Education
John Barbo
I believe in the importance of strong public schools, and will work to fully fund the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan.
Source: John's Priorities
David Thomas
None found in the records checked
Energy and utility bills
John Barbo
None found in the records checked
David Thomas
After years of the Biden War on Coal, I have helped bring new Power Plants and add electrons to the grid to lower energy bills.
Source: Key Issues
Government ethics
John Barbo
Ohioans deserve honesty and transparency in Columbus. I will work to end the corruptiion and restore faith in government.
Source: John's Priorities
David Thomas
To make Ohio more affordable we must lower the cost of Government. Decrease spending, share services, and cut taxes while removing fraud, waste, and abuse is the key. I am committed to this effort!
Source: Key Issues
Property taxes
John Barbo
I will work to lower property taxes without endangering our schools, safety forces, or local government services.
Source: John's Priorities
David Thomas
I have authored 5 bills which are now law and save Ohioans $3.8 Billion and growing in property tax bills. Leading the effort to reform the system and prevent the harm done has been my main priority and success.
Source: Key Issues
Why they are running
John Barbo
“I am not a career politician. I am a teacher, councilperson, citizen, husband and father. I have seen the consequences of single-party rule in Ohio, and I believe we deserve better.”
Source: About Barbo
David Thomas
Property Tax Reform Customer Service and Accessibility Pro-Life, Pro-Gun
Source: David Thomas
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.
John Barbo
Not yet researched
David Thomas
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas (R) | 2019 | office | Ashtabula County Auditor |
| Thomas (R) | 2025 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 65 |
| Thomas (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 |
| Thomas (R) | 2025-04-21 | bill | 2025-04-21 (bill): Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, of House Bill 43 (136th General Assembly), Waive minimum instructional hours for speci |
| Thomas (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 |
| Thomas (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 |
| Thomas (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 |
| Thomas (R) | 2025-09-30 | bill | 2025-09-30 (bill): Primary sponsor, with Rep. Kellie Deeter, of House Bill 64 (136th General Assembly), Revise age for discounted hunting, fishing licenses and |
| Thomas (R) | 2025-12-19 | bill | 2025-12-19 (bill): Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. James M. Hoops, of House Bill 186 (136th General Assembly), Regards school district property taxes, school |
| Thomas (R) | 2026-03-20 | bill | 2026-03-20 (bill): Primary sponsor of House Bill 309 (136th General Assembly), Regards budget commissions, property tax, and certain funds, effective March 20, |
| Thomas (R) | 2026-03-20 | bill | 2026-03-20 (bill): Primary sponsor of House Bill 335 (136th General Assembly), Regards county budget commissions, property and sales tax, funds, effective Marc |
| Thomas (R) | 2026-03-20 | bill | 2026-03-20 (bill): Primary sponsor, with Rep. Thomas Hall, of House Bill 124 (136th General Assembly), Modify process for property tax sales-assessment ratio s |
| Thomas (R) | 2026-03-20 | bill | 2026-03-20 (bill): Primary sponsor of House Bill 129 (136th General Assembly), Limit ability to reallocate certain school property tax millage, effective March |
| Thomas (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 |
John Barbo
Not yet researched
David Thomas
-
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
-
March 20, 2026 · bill
Primary sponsor, with Rep. Thomas Hall, of House Bill 124 (136th General Assembly), Modify process for property tax sales-assessment ratio studies, effective March 20, 2026.
Source: Primary sponsor
-
March 20, 2026 · bill
Primary sponsor of House Bill 335 (136th General Assembly), Regards county budget commissions, property and sales tax, funds, effective March 20, 2026.
Source: Primary sponsor of House Bill 335 (136th General Assembly)
-
March 20, 2026 · bill
Primary sponsor of House Bill 309 (136th General Assembly), Regards budget commissions, property tax, and certain funds, effective March 20, 2026.
Source: Primary sponsor of House Bill 309 (136th General Assembly)
-
March 20, 2026 · bill
Primary sponsor of House Bill 129 (136th General Assembly), Limit ability to reallocate certain school property tax millage, effective March 20, 2026.
Source: Primary sponsor of House Bill 129 (136th General Assembly)
-
December 19, 2025 · bill
Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. James M. Hoops, of House Bill 186 (136th General Assembly), Regards school district property taxes, school funding formula, signed into law December 19, 2025 (effective March 20, 2026).
-
September 30, 2025 · bill
Primary sponsor, with Rep. Kellie Deeter, of House Bill 64 (136th General Assembly), Revise age for discounted hunting, fishing licenses and permits, effective September 30, 2025.
Source: Primary sponsor
-
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 21, 2025 · bill
Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, of House Bill 43 (136th General Assembly), Waive minimum instructional hours for specified high school, signed into law and effective April 21, 2025.
-
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
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 |
John Barbo
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of July 28, 2026: raised $0, spent $0, cash on hand $0.
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 July 28, 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
David Thomas
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 37,197.66 | 37.5% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 53,533.42 | 54.0% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 3,439.78 | 3.5% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 4,950.39 | 5.0% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 8, 2026: raised $40,637, spent $90,731, cash on hand $8,390.
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 8, 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
- Six candidates for Ohio Statehouse end election bids since May primary (WCMH-TV NBC4, syndicated) · WCMH-TV (NBC4), via Yahoo News · 2026-08-14 · accessed 2026-09-30
- Candidates for the November 3, 2026 General Election · Trumbull County Board of Elections · accessed 2026-09-30
- Ohio House of Representatives District 65 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Representative David Thomas - District 65 · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-22
- John Barbo · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Barbo For Ohio · Friends of John Barbo · accessed 2026-09-22
- About Barbo · Friends of John Barbo · accessed 2026-09-22
- 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
- David Thomas · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- David Thomas, State Rep. 65th District · Friends of David Thomas · accessed 2026-09-22
- 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
- David Thomas Biography · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-25
- 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/ashtabula-county-slate-card.pdf
- https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/ohio/
- 2025 financial disclosure statement, Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
- Primary sponsor of House Bill 309 (136th General Assembly) · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
- Primary sponsor of House Bill 335 (136th General Assembly) · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
- Primary sponsor · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
- Primary sponsor of House Bill 129 (136th General Assembly) · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
- Primary sponsor · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
- House Bill 96 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- Senate Joint Resolution 10 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- House Bill 43, 136th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
- House Bill 186, 136th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
Quick answers
When is the 2026 Ohio State Representative, District 65 election?
The election for Ohio State Representative, District 65 is on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for Ohio State Representative, District 65 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Representative, District 65, in surname order: John Barbo (Democratic), David Thomas (Republican).
Who holds the Ohio State Representative, District 65 seat now?
The seat is held by David Thomas.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Representative, District 65, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-house-65/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03