Ohio State Representative, District 8
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 8 · 2 candidates with a page
The seat is held. Rep. Anita Somani (D) has represented District 8 since January 2025 (District 11, 2023-2024) and is running for re-election, so the seat is held.
Sources: Ohio House of Representatives District 8 · Anita Somani · Representative Anita Somani - District 8
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio House | Ohio House, Ohio's 8th District | Ohio State Representative, District 8 |
Counties: Franklin
Last time, 2024: Anita Somani (Democratic) 64.5% · 36,054 votes; Aaron Neumann (Republican) 35.5% · 19,829 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.
7 of 11 sections researched · 6 sources
- Physician (obstetrician-gynecologist). (per campaign)
- Bachelor's degree, Miami University, 1982.
- M.D., Medical College of Ohio, 1988.
8 of 11 sections researched · 24 sources
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
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 |
Anita Somani
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | researched |
| claims | not researched |
| record | 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: Anita Somani has 6 entries and Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis has 1 entry. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Anita Somani's record in office has 5 entries and Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis'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
- Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Anita Somani: 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.
Education
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
As a former 16-year Columbus City Schools teacher, TESOL subcontractor in charter schools, and OSU/Ashland teacher supervisor, I know education from the inside out. I will focus on academic fundamentals, support our teachers, and ensure every student gets a high-quality education that prepares them for real jobs and real success.
Source: Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
Anita Somani
Funding public education & allowing teachers to teach so our kids can compete in an global economy
Source: Anita Somani
Health care
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
None found in the records checked
Anita Somani
High quality health care access - Drug costs, evidence based medicine in regards to vaccines, reproductive care & gender care
Source: Anita Somani
Parental rights
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
Parents know what is best for their children—period. I stand for complete curriculum transparency and protecting your authority over your family’s values, health, and upbringing. School districts should work with parents, not around them.
Source: Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
Anita Somani
None found in the records checked
Property taxes
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
Soaring property taxes are pricing families and seniors out of their own homes. Drawing on my corporate supply chain background, I bring business discipline to local governance. I will fight to cap unfair tax spikes and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
Source: Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
Anita Somani
None found in the records checked
Public safety
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
None found in the records checked
Anita Somani
Keeping our community safe so people are not afraid to participate in activities, go to school or public places.
Source: Anita Somani
Why they are running
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
None found in the records checked
Anita Somani
I understand the need for government to remove barriers that prevent all Ohioans from accessing the tools and resources necessary for advancement.
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.
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
Not yet researched
Anita Somani
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somani (D) | 2023 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 11 |
| Somani (D) | 2025-01-01 | office | Ohio State Representative, District 8 |
| Somani (D) | 2025-04-09 | vote | 2025-04-09 (vote): Voted no on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House-passed version) (House Bill 96); the House vote was 60-39 and t |
| Somani (D) | 2025-06-11 | vote | 2025-06-11 (vote): Did not vote on whether the House would concur in the Senate's amendments to the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (Hous |
| Somani (D) | 2025-06-25 | vote | 2025-06-25 (vote): Voted no on the conference committee report on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (House Bill 96); the House vote was |
| Somani (D) | 2025-07-21 | vote | 2025-07-21 (vote): Voted against overriding the governor's veto of item 66 in House Bill 96; the item removed local authority to place replacement property-tax |
| Somani (D) | 2026-06-10 | vote | 2026-06-10 (vote): Voted no on adopting the joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require identification to vote, placing it on the November |
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
Not yet researched
Anita Somani
-
June 10, 2026 · vote
Voted no 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 against overriding 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 no 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
Did not vote 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 no 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 |
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 1 | 0.1% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 999 | 99.9% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 3, 2026: raised $1,000, spent $1, cash on hand $999.
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 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
Anita Somani
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 2,494.42 | 3.5% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 27,431.88 | 38.9% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 3,385.58 | 4.8% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 37,232.11 | 52.8% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 12, 2026: raised $5,880, spent $29,926, cash on hand $40,618.
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
- Ohio elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-19 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Ohio House of Representatives District 8 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Anita Somani · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Representative Anita Somani - District 8 · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2026-09-21 · accessed 2026-09-21
- Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- 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://ohiogop.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/franklin-county-slate-card.pdf
- 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://oft-aft.org/2026election
- https://gunsensevoter.org/states/oh/voterguide/
- https://gunsensevoter.org/faq/
- https://ohea.org/oea-candidate-recommendations/
- https://theoecactionfund.org/2026-endorsements/
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-ohio/elections
- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Announces State Legislature, Supreme Court Endorsements · 2026-07-20
- 2026 Abortion Forward endorsements · Abortion Forward · 2026-10-01 · accessed 2026-10-22
- Abortion Forward releases slate of candidates who respect will of voters · Abortion Forward · 2026-10-01 · accessed 2026-10-22
- Members of the 135th General Assembly · Ohio General Assembly, Legislative Information System · accessed 2026-09-24
- Rep. Anita Somani sworn in as state representative for Ohio House District 11 · The Ohio House of Representatives · 2023-01-03 · 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
Quick answers
When is the 2026 Ohio State Representative, District 8 election?
The election for Ohio State Representative, District 8 is on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for Ohio State Representative, District 8 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Representative, District 8, in surname order: Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis (Republican), Anita Somani (Democratic).
Who holds the Ohio State Representative, District 8 seat now?
The seat is held by Anita Somani.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Representative, District 8, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-house-8/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03