Ohio State Representative, District 72
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 72 · 3 candidates with a page
The seat is held. Rep. Heidi Workman (R) has held the seat since January 1, 2025 and is running for re-election, so the seat remains held.
Sources: Ohio House of Representatives District 72 · Representative Heidi Workman - District 72
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio House | Ohio House, Ohio's 72nd District | Ohio State Representative, District 72 |
Counties: Portage
Last time, 2024: Heidi Workman (Republican) 58.7% · 33,607 votes; Nathaniel Adams (Democratic) 41.3% · 23,657 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.
- Former member, Kent Planning Commission. (per campaign)
- Member, Kent City Council (Ward 6, term 2024-2027); President Pro Tem of council. (per campaign)
7 of 11 sections researched · 14 sources
- As of his 2020 U.S. House campaign, a senior scientist in the pharmaceutical industry with almost 20 years' experience, working in analytical development (per campaign)
- BS in chemistry and BA in political science, Ohio State University, 1997; PhD in chemistry, University of Cincinnati (per campaign)
- As of his 2020 U.S. House campaign, Akron chair of the American Chemical Society; former Oak Ridge fellow and visiting scholar at the University of British Columbia (per campaign)
5 of 11 sections researched · 11 sources
- Small business owner in the agricultural, manufacturing, and real estate industries.
- High school diploma, Carrollton High School.
- Bachelor's degree, Bowling Green State University, 2004.
9 of 11 sections researched · 25 sources
Jeff Clapper
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 |
Michael Fricke
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 | none found |
| sources | researched |
Heidi Workman
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: Heidi Workman has 4 entries, Jeff Clapper has 4 entries and Michael Fricke 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: Jeff Clapper has 9 entries, Heidi Workman has 3 entries and Michael Fricke has 1 entry. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Heidi Workman's record in office has 6 entries, Jeff Clapper's has 0 and Michael Fricke's has 0. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Sources: Heidi Workman has 16 entries, Jeff Clapper has 5 entries and Michael Fricke has 4 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
- Jeff Clapper: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Michael Fricke: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Heidi Workman: 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
Jeff Clapper
I will fight to ensure wages keep up with the exploding cost of basic living expenses. We cannot continue to let billionaires fleece what is left of the middle class to line their pockets rather than pay workers a fair living wage.
Source: November 2026 Voters Guide presented by The League of Women Voters
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
None found in the records checked
Data centers
Jeff Clapper
Portage County’s farmland, natural resources, and quality of life deserve to be protected. I believe local communities should have a strong voice in decisions that impact their neighborhoods. I will fight for greater local control, transparency, and responsible development to ensure that large-scale data centers do not negatively impact our residents, infrastructure, water resources, or rural character.
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
None found in the records checked
Education
Jeff Clapper
Whether a student chooses college, a trade school, an apprenticeship, or workforce certification, every Ohioan should have an affordable pathway to success. I will support expanding access to higher education, career technical training, apprenticeships, and workforce development programs so that every student can build a successful future right here in Ohio.
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
None found in the records checked
Elections and voting
Jeff Clapper
None found in the records checked
Michael Fricke
End gerrymandering in Ohio. Reverse the recent ban on ranked choice voting. Impose term limits on all elected offices.
Source: November 2026 Voters Guide presented by The League of Women Voters
Heidi Workman
Requiring photo ID to vote is a simple, widely supported safeguard.
Sources: State Rep. Heidi Workman Applauds Adoption of State Issue 3 Ballot Language · Senate Joint Resolution 10
Health care
Jeff Clapper
No family should have to choose between paying their bills and receiving necessary medical care. I will work to improve access to quality, affordable health coverage while supporting practical legislative solutions that reduce costs, increase transparency, and put patients before politics.
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
This investment in NEOMED is an investment in the future of healthcare in Northeast Ohio,
Source: Rep. Workman Applauds Funding for NEOMED Dental Program
Housing
Jeff Clapper
Ohio families deserve access to safe, affordable housing. I support policies that encourage the construction of workforce and affordable housing, remove unnecessary barriers to development, and help first-time homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership while protecting existing neighborhoods.
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
None found in the records checked
School choice
Jeff Clapper
Every child deserves a strong public education. I believe Ohio should fully invest in its public schools instead of diverting taxpayer dollars away from local districts through the EdChoice voucher program. Our public schools are the foundation of our communities and should receive the resources they need to help every student succeed.
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
None found in the records checked
Vehicle emissions testing
Jeff Clapper
Portage County residents shouldn't be forced to pay for and take time out of their schedules for mandatory E-Check inspections when many newer vehicles are already built with advanced emissions technology and onboard diagnostics. Ending E-Check would reduce costs and inconvenience for working families while treating Portage County the same as many other Ohio counties that do not have the requirement.
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
None found in the records checked
Veterans
Jeff Clapper
Ohio is home to the nation’s sixth-largest veteran population. I am committed to improving the services and benefits available to our veterans by expanding access to employment opportunities, transportation, housing and the support they have earned through their service.
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
None found in the records checked
Why they are running
Jeff Clapper
It has always been my belief that if I was willing to express an opinion about decisions being made in my community then I should also be willing to get involved in the decision making process. That belief has led me to spending the better part of the last decade in local government. After getting my start on Kent’s Planning Commission I ran for and was elected to Kent City Council where I now serve as President. My next goal is to take all of my experience and desire to serve my community to the Ohio State House as Representative for District 72 where I will work to make life better for all Ohioans.
Michael Fricke
None found in the records checked
Heidi Workman
I am a proud conservative. I believe in freedom, limited government, low taxes, protecting life, growing our economy and creating jobs and opportunities. I have a deep appreciation for the genius of our Founding Fathers -- who gave us the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights -- especially the 2nd Amendment that guarantees all the other rights written into the fabric of our national identity.
Source: Heidi Workman
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.
Jeff Clapper
Not yet researched
Michael Fricke
Not yet researched
Heidi Workman
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workman (R) | 2025-01-01 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 72 |
| Workman (R) | 2025-03-07 | bill | 2025-03-07 (bill): Primary sponsor (with Rep. Bill Roemer) of House Bill 14 (136th General Assembly), "Incorporate Internal Revenue Code changes into Ohio law," |
| Workman (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 |
| Workman (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 |
| Workman (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 |
| Workman (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 |
| Workman (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 |
Jeff Clapper
Not yet researched
Michael Fricke
Not yet researched
Heidi Workman
-
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
-
March 7, 2025 · bill
Primary sponsor (with Rep. Bill Roemer) of House Bill 14 (136th General Assembly), "Incorporate Internal Revenue Code changes into Ohio law," signed into law as an emergency act, effective March 7, 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 |
Jeff Clapper
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 6,016.78 | 24.2% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 33.5 | 0.1% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 18,713.48 | 75.3% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 104.1 | 0.4% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 12, 2026: raised $24,730, spent $6,050, cash on hand $18,818.
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
Michael Fricke
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
Heidi Workman
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 10,131.84 | 15.9% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 30,108.27 | 47.2% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 5,944.35 | 9.3% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 17,664.52 | 27.7% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 12, 2026: raised $16,076, spent $40,240, cash on hand $23,609.
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
Data from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, District 13 · Ohio House of Representatives
- 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 72 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Representative Heidi Workman - District 72 · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-21
- Jeff Clapper · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Jeff Clapper for Ohio House District 72 · Jeff Clapper for Ohio · 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
- Council, Mayor and City Manager · City of Kent · accessed 2026-09-25
- Kent, Ohio City Council Observer Corps Report · League of Women Voters of the Kent Area · accessed 2026-09-25
- https://uawpower.org/states/ohio
- https://gunsensevoter.org/states/oh/voterguide/
- https://gunsensevoter.org/faq/
- https://ohea.org/oea-candidate-recommendations/
- https://theoecactionfund.org/2026-endorsements/
- November 2026 Voters Guide presented by The League of Women Voters · The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County · 2026-09-30 · accessed 2026-10-02
- Michael Fricke · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- https://www.frickeforohio13.com/
- Federal Elections 2020 (Excel edition), 2020 U.S. House of Representatives Results (by State), Ohio rows; compiled from state elections offices · Federal Election Commission · accessed 2026-09-25
- Federal Elections 2020: Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives · Federal Election Commission · accessed 2026-09-25
- 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, District 13 · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-25
- Ohio Vote Certified With Record Turnout, All-Time High Early Vote · The Statehouse News Bureau · 2020-11-27 · accessed 2026-09-25
- Heidi Workman · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Heidi Workman Biography · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-21
- Heidi Workman Legislation · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-21
- State Rep. Heidi Workman Applauds Adoption of State Issue 3 Ballot Language · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2026-08-05 · accessed 2026-09-21
- Rep. Workman Applauds Funding for NEOMED Dental Program · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2026-07-09 · accessed 2026-09-21
- House Bill 14, 136th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-21
- Member Directory · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-08
- Ohio House of Representatives · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-08
- 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://ohiogop.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/portage-county-slate-card.pdf
- https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/ohio/
- 2025 financial disclosure statement, Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
- Senate Joint Resolution 10 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-25
- House Bill 96 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
Quick answers
When is the 2026 Ohio State Representative, District 72 election?
The election for Ohio State Representative, District 72 is on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for Ohio State Representative, District 72 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Representative, District 72, in surname order: Jeff Clapper (Democratic), Michael Fricke (Libertarian), Heidi Workman (Republican).
Who holds the Ohio State Representative, District 72 seat now?
The seat is held by Heidi Workman.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Representative, District 72, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-house-72/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03