Ohio State Representative, District 76
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 76 · 2 candidates with a page
The seat is held. Rep. Marilyn John (R), the Ohio House Majority Leader, has held this seat since January 1, 2023, after previously representing District 2 from 2021 to 2022, and is running for re-election, so the seat remains held.
Sources: Ohio House of Representatives District 76 · Representative Marilyn John - District 76
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio House | Ohio House, Ohio's 76th District | Ohio State Representative, District 76 |
Counties: Richland
Last time, 2024: Marilyn John (Republican) 71.9% · 40,352 votes; Emily Adams (Democratic) 28.1% · 15,738 votes; Tim Grady (Independent) 0.0% · 11 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.
- Commercial lines underwriter, Shelby Insurance Company.
- Executive director, Shelby Senior Center.
- Ohio House Majority Leader, since January 6, 2025.
9 of 11 sections researched · 29 sources
- IT specialist for a public school system. (per campaign)
- High school diploma, Shelby High School.
- Comes from a union family. (per campaign)
7 of 11 sections researched · 9 sources
Marilyn John
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 |
Colton Stidam
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 |
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: Marilyn John has 5 entries and Colton Stidam has 2 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Marilyn John's record in office has 7 entries and Colton Stidam's has 0. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Sources: Marilyn John has 14 entries and Colton Stidam 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
- Marilyn John: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Colton Stidam: 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
Marilyn John
None found in the records checked
Colton Stidam
Every single year we're expected to tighten our purse strings, pull ourselves up by the boot straps, and work harder. The issue is most of us are already working as hard as we can, or we've already put in our 30 years and retired.
Source: Stidam for State Representative
Education
Marilyn John
None found in the records checked
Colton Stidam
The foundation of our nation, of our state, and our communities will always be our children. Our great public schools help grow our kids to their fullest potential to become leaders, innovators, and people who will move us towards the future. The critical lack of funding hurts our children's growth and their opportunities. Their classrooms are overcrowded, their teachers are told to do more with less, and Ohio is falling behind the curve
Source: Colton Stidam
Gas tax holiday
Marilyn John
I was proud to vote for the gas tax holiday because it offers some immediate help to people in our community who are feeling the strain of higher costs of living
Source: Representative John Supports 90 Day Gas Tax Holiday for Ohioans
Colton Stidam
None found in the records checked
Jobs and the economy
Marilyn John
As Mayor of Shelby, Richland County Commissioner, and now our State Representative from the 76th District, Marilyn has fought hard to protect and create jobs. With a Master of Business Administration degree from Ashland University, Marilyn applies proven business principles to her fight for workforce development. She’s committed to keeping Richland County’s economy strong.
Source: Marilyn John for Ohio House
Colton Stidam
None found in the records checked
Property taxes
Marilyn John
None found in the records checked
Colton Stidam
Ohio isn't doing enough. Families are losing their generational homes due to insane property taxes, on the flip side of the coin, people cannot afford their rent. We need to make sure that those who are on fixed or low incomes aren't priced out of their homes due to property taxes and we need to build, and develop affordable housing.
Source: Colton Stidam
Roads and infrastructure
Marilyn John
At the Statehouse in Columbus, Marilyn has fought for infrastructure projects ensuring that mobility and access are guaranteed to everyone.
Source: Marilyn John for Ohio House
Colton Stidam
None found in the records checked
School choice
Marilyn John
That’s why she sponsored legislation to give parents a choice and a voice in their child’s education, and fought for the Backpack Bill to ensure that funding follows students wherever they go.
Source: Marilyn John for Ohio House
Colton Stidam
None found in the records checked
Seniors
Marilyn John
As Executive Director of the Shelby Senior Center, Marilyn made sure local senior citizens had the care and attention they deserved to live full and enriching lives.
Source: Marilyn John for Ohio House
Colton Stidam
None found in the records checked
Why they are running
Marilyn John
None found in the records checked
Colton Stidam
My name is Colton Stidam, and I am running to be your next State Representative for Richland county.
Workers and wages
Marilyn John
None found in the records checked
Colton Stidam
Unions are rocks in our communities. They produce our goods, take care of our infrastructure, and so much more. We cannot allow the statehouse to continuously propose bills that would strip away their collective bargaining rights, and their ability to negotiate their compensation packages.
Source: Colton Stidam
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.
Marilyn John
Not yet researched
Colton Stidam
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| John (R) | 2010 | office | Mayor, City of Shelby |
| John (R) | 2015 | office | Richland County Commissioner |
| John (R) | 2021 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 2 |
| John (R) | 2023-01-01 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 76 |
| John (R) | 2023-04-05 | bill | 2023-04-05 (bill): Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, of House Bill 52 (135th General Assembly), Reverse H.B. 509/134th GA changes to EMS tr |
| John (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 |
| John (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 |
| John (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 |
| John (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 |
| John (R) | 2025-12-19 | bill | 2025-12-19 (bill): Primary sponsor (with Rep. Latyna M. Humphrey) of House Bill 29 (136th General Assembly), "Regards inmates' access to feminine hygiene produ" |
| John (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 |
Marilyn John
-
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
Primary sponsor (with Rep. Latyna M. Humphrey) of House Bill 29 (136th General Assembly), "Regards inmates' access to feminine hygiene products and showers," signed into law December 19, 2025 (effective March 20, 2026).
Sources: House Bill 29, 136th General Assembly · House Bill 29, 136th General Assembly: version history with governor-signed and effective dates
-
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
-
April 5, 2023 · bill
Joint primary sponsor, with Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, of House Bill 52 (135th General Assembly), Reverse H.B. 509/134th GA changes to EMS training, continuing ed, signed into law April 5, 2023 (effective April 6, 2023).
Colton Stidam
Not yet researched
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 |
Marilyn John
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 47,197.27 | 26.4% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 53,240.80 | 29.7% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 36,961.84 | 20.6% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 41,694.74 | 23.3% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 11, 2026: raised $84,159, spent $100,438, cash on hand $78,657.
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
Colton Stidam
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 10,270 | 53.4% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 8,955.19 | 46.6% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of September 3, 2026: raised $19,225, spent $10,270, cash on hand $8,955.
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 September 3, 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: Ohio House of Representatives · Marilyn John
- 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 76 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Representative Marilyn John - District 76 · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-21
- Marilyn John · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Marilyn John Legislation · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-21
- Marilyn John for Ohio House · Friends of Marilyn John · accessed 2026-09-21
- House Bill 29, 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
- 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/richland-county-slate-card.pdf
- https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/ohio/
- 2025 financial disclosure statement, Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
- Marilyn John Biography · The Ohio House of Representatives · accessed 2026-09-25
- Marilyn John · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-25 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Representative John Supports 90 Day Gas Tax Holiday for Ohioans · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2026-09-30 · accessed 2026-09-30
- House Bill 29, 136th General Assembly: version history with governor-signed and effective dates · The Ohio Legislature (Legislative Information Systems API) · accessed 2026-09-30
- House Bill 96 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- Senate Joint Resolution 10 · Ohio General Assembly · accessed 2026-09-21
- House Bill 52, 135th General Assembly · The Ohio Legislature · accessed 2026-09-22
- Colton Stidam · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Colton Stidam for State Representative · Stidam for State · accessed 2026-09-21
- https://gunsensevoter.org/states/oh/voterguide/
- https://gunsensevoter.org/faq/
- https://ohea.org/oea-candidate-recommendations/
Quick answers
When was the 2026 Ohio State Representative, District 76 election?
The election for Ohio State Representative, District 76 was held on November 3, 2026.
Who ran for Ohio State Representative, District 76 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Representative, District 76, in surname order: Marilyn John (Republican), Colton Stidam (Democratic).
Who holds the Ohio State Representative, District 76 seat now?
The seat is held by Marilyn John.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Representative, District 76, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-house-76/, built 2026-11-04, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-04