Ohio State Representative, District 68
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 68 · 2 candidates with a page
The seat is held. Rep. Thaddeus Claggett (R) has held the seat since January 2023 and is running for re-election, so the seat is held.
Sources: Ohio House of Representatives District 68 · Representative Thaddeus J. Claggett - District 68
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio House | Ohio House, Ohio's 68th District | Ohio State Representative, District 68 |
Counties: Licking
Last time, 2024: Thaddeus J. Claggett (Republican) 58.9% · 35,448 votes; Michael E. Smith (Democratic) 41.1% · 24,775 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.
- Risk manager
- High school diploma, Gahanna Lincoln High School
- Bachelor's degree, Franklin University, 2020
7 of 11 sections researched · 8 sources
- 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
Mason Blankenship
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 | researched |
| sources | researched |
Thaddeus J. Claggett
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: Thaddeus J. Claggett has 4 entries and Mason Blankenship has 1 entry. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Thaddeus J. Claggett's record in office has 6 entries and Mason Blankenship'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
- Mason Blankenship: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Thaddeus J. Claggett: 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
Mason Blankenship
None found in the records checked
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.
Civil rights
Mason Blankenship
Our rights are not negotiable. They exist to protect people – not power. As your Representative for OH-68 I will defend free speech, privacy, due process and fair representation.
Source: Mason's Commitment
Thaddeus J. Claggett
None found in the records checked
Education
Mason Blankenship
Let’s work together for a fair and modern solution to fund Ohio’s public schools.
Source: Mason's Commitment
Thaddeus J. Claggett
Claggett supports state and local control of education. He opposes federal bureaucrats telling us who should use which bathroom.
Elections and voting
Mason Blankenship
If the state is going to require specific documentation to vote, then the state has a responsibility to ensure every eligible voter can access that documentation, easily and at no cost. Because when people have to spend money, take time off work, or navigate layers of bureaucracy just to exercise their right to vote, we are dangerously close to creating a modern-day poll tax.
Source: Issues
Thaddeus J. Claggett
None found in the records checked
Energy and utility bills
Mason Blankenship
None found in the records checked
Thaddeus J. Claggett
Claggett supports a true “all of the above” energy strategy—as long as it is free market.
Government ethics
Mason Blankenship
Public office should be about doing the job the right way. That means being honest, making responsible decisions, and being accountable to the people you represent. I think people are tired of politics that feel disconnected from real life. My goal is to approach every decision with transparency and a clear sense of responsibility to the community.
Source: Mason Blankenship
Thaddeus J. Claggett
None found in the records checked
Guns
Mason Blankenship
None found in the records checked
Thaddeus J. Claggett
Thad Claggett supports the Second Amendment. In fact, he lives it.
Health care
Mason Blankenship
Protecting our vulnerable means advocating for children, seniors, veterans, the disabled and those at risk of falling through the cracks. I will defend Medicaid, enhanced mental health services and support affordable housing initiatives to ensure family stability.
Source: Mason's Commitment
Thaddeus J. Claggett
None found in the records checked
Jobs and the economy
Mason Blankenship
None found in the records checked
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.
Taxes
Mason Blankenship
None found in the records checked
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.
Why they are running
Mason Blankenship
1. Getting politics back to serving the people.
Source: Mason Blankenship
Thaddeus J. Claggett
Thad Claggett is a proven conservative who lives our community values every day.
Workers and wages
Mason Blankenship
Every worker deserves a voice and the freedom to organize. I will introduce legislation to protect unions, combat wage theft, ensure fair pay and job security for Ohio workers.
Source: Mason's Commitment
Thaddeus J. Claggett
None found in the records checked
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.
Mason Blankenship
Not yet researched
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.
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Person | Date | Kind | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claggett (R) | 2023 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 68 |
| Claggett (R) | 2025-01-08 | bill | 2025-01-08 (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) | 2025-04-09 | 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 |
| Claggett (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 |
| Claggett (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 |
| Claggett (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 |
| Claggett (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 |
Mason Blankenship
Not yet researched
Thaddeus J. Claggett
-
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
-
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
-
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).
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 |
Mason Blankenship
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 3,280.31 | 36.9% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 180.4 | 2.0% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 5,139.12 | 57.9% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 282.6 | 3.2% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of July 31, 2026: raised $8,419, spent $3,461, cash on hand $5,422.
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 31, 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
Thaddeus J. Claggett
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 347.1 | 1.5% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 3,748.58 | 15.9% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 1,652.92 | 7.0% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 17,851.79 | 75.6% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 11, 2026: raised $2,000, spent $4,096, cash on hand $19,505.
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 11, 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 elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-30 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Ohio House of Representatives District 68 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Representative Thaddeus J. Claggett - District 68 · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-22
- Mason Blankenship · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Mason Blankenship for Ohio House District 68 · Blankenship 4 A Better Ohio · 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
- https://oft-aft.org/2026election
- Issues · Mason Blankenship campaign · accessed 2026-10-02
- Thaddeus Claggett · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Claggett for Ohio · Claggett for Ohio · 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
- 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/licking-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 Bill 96 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- Senate Joint Resolution 10 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- House Bill 257, 135th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
Quick answers
When is the 2026 Ohio State Representative, District 68 election?
The election for Ohio State Representative, District 68 is on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for Ohio State Representative, District 68 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Representative, District 68, in surname order: Mason Blankenship (Democratic), Thaddeus J. Claggett (Republican).
Who holds the Ohio State Representative, District 68 seat now?
The seat is held by Thaddeus J. Claggett.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Representative, District 68, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-house-68/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03