Ohio State Senator, District 17
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 17 · 2 candidates with a page
The seat is held. Sen. Shane Wilkin (R) has held the seat since January 1, 2023 and is running for re-election, so the seat is held.
Sources: ohiosenate.gov · ballotpedia.org
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Senate | Ohio Senate, Ohio's 17th District | Ohio State Senator, District 17 |
Counties: Fayette · Gallia · Highland · Hocking · Jackson · Lawrence · Perry · Pike · Ross · Vinton
Last time, 2022: Shane Wilkin (Republican) 74.4% · 77,325 votes; Garry Boone (Democratic) 25.6% · 26,559 votes.
Sources: 2022 Official Election Results · LaRose Certifies Results for the November 2022 General Election
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.
- Coach and law enforcement officer.
- High school diploma, Rock Hill High School.
- Degree, Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, 1991.
7 of 11 sections researched · 9 sources
- Small business owner and licensed real estate agent.
- Highland County commissioner, three terms.
- Chairman, Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission.
9 of 11 sections researched · 26 sources
Brian Deer
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | researched |
| claims | none found |
| record | not researched |
| money | researched |
| interests | not researched |
| polling | none found |
| elections | researched |
| endorsements | researched |
| sources | researched |
Shane Wilkin
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | researched |
| claims | none found |
| record | researched |
| money | researched |
| interests | researched |
| polling | none found |
| 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.
Shane Wilkin's record in office has 5 entries and Brian Deer's has 0. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.
Sources: Shane Wilkin has 12 entries and Brian Deer 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
- Brian Deer: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Shane Wilkin: 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
Brian Deer
Ohio public school funding needs to be protected and funded by the Fair School Funding Plan.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Shane Wilkin
None found in the records checked
Guns
Brian Deer
None found in the records checked
Shane Wilkin
As a lifelong hunter and fisherman, Shane is the current co-chairman of the Sportsmen’s Caucus of Ohio and has been previously endorsed by the Buckeye Firearms Association and the National Rifle Association, earning and “A+” rating for his unwavering defense of the 2nd Amendment.
Source: shanewilkin.com
Health care
Brian Deer
Medicare and medicaid funding has to be protected
Source: ballotpedia.org
Shane Wilkin
None found in the records checked
Jobs and the economy
Brian Deer
Mom and pop stores have to have the ability to buy from their vendors at a closer price that the vendor provides to the bigger stores.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Shane Wilkin
As a small business owner, Shane sees and feels the harmful impact Bidenomics and Washington’s outrageous tax-and-spend policies are having on hardworking Ohioans. He is running for re-election for the Ohio State Senate because he knows we can - and we must - do better for middle-class families like his own.
Source: shanewilkin.com
Public safety
Brian Deer
None found in the records checked
Shane Wilkin
By instituting these rules, citizens can be confident that the product they purchase is as advertised. I'm proud to have played a role in settling this unregulated market in Ohio and look forward to its impact across the Buckeye State.
Source: ohiosenate.gov
Seniors
Brian Deer
Senior care is declining and I want to make sure our seniors are treated with the reverence and dignity they deserve and earned.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Shane Wilkin
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.
Brian Deer
None found in the records checked
Shane Wilkin
None found in the records checked
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkin (R) | 2018-06-20 | office | Member, Ohio House of Representatives, District 91 |
| Wilkin (R) | 2023-01-01 | office | Ohio State Senator, District 17 |
| Wilkin (R) | 2025-06-11 | vote | 2025-06-11 (vote): Voted yes on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (Senate-passed version, as amended) (House Bill 96); the Senate vote |
| Wilkin (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 Senate vote w |
| Wilkin (R) | 2025-10-01 | vote | 2025-10-01 (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 |
| Wilkin (R) | 2025-12-19 | bill | 2025-12-19 (bill): Primary sponsor of Senate Bill 103 (136th General Assembly), Allow alternative rate plans for certain natural gas companies, signed into law |
| Wilkin (R) | 2026-06-03 | vote | 2026-06-03 (vote): Voted yes on adopting the joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require identification to vote, placing it on the Novembe |
Brian Deer
Not yet researched
Shane Wilkin
-
June 3, 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 Senate vote was 22-9 and the motion passed.
Sources: Senate Joint Resolution 10: votes · Senate Joint Resolution 10
-
December 19, 2025 · bill
Primary sponsor of Senate Bill 103 (136th General Assembly), Allow alternative rate plans for certain natural gas companies, signed into law December 19, 2025.
Source: legislature.ohio.gov
-
October 1, 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 Senate vote was 21-11, 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 Senate vote was 23-10 and the motion passed.
Sources: House Bill 96: votes · House Bill 96
-
June 11, 2025 · vote
Voted yes on the state operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (Senate-passed version, as amended) (House Bill 96); the Senate vote was 23-10 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 |
Brian Deer
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Cash on hand | 1,933.61 | 100.0% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 9, 2026: raised $1,934, spent $0, cash on hand $1,934.
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 9, 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
Shane Wilkin
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 20,794.96 | 4.3% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 20,055.27 | 4.1% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 225,762.62 | 46.6% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 217,732.06 | 45.0% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of July 31, 2026: raised $246,558, spent $40,850, cash on hand $443,495.
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
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 State Senate District 17 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- https://www.ohiosenate.gov/members/shane-wilkin
- https://ballotpedia.org/Shane_Wilkin
- Brian Deer · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · 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://ohea.org/oea-candidate-recommendations/
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-ohio/elections
- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Announces State Legislature, Supreme Court Endorsements · 2026-07-20
- OFT Votes 2026: Endorsements and Voter Information · Ohio Federation of Teachers · accessed 2026-10-20
- Shane Wilkin · Wilkin for Ohio · accessed 2026-09-22
- Senate Adopts Wilkin Bill Providing Public Safety Improvements for Hemp Industry · The Ohio Senate · 2025-04-30 · accessed 2026-09-22
- House Bill 96: votes · Ohio General Assembly
- Senate Joint Resolution 10: votes · Ohio General Assembly
- 2022 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://irontontribune.com/2026/08/21/ohio-right-to-life-pac-announces-general-election-recommendations/
- https://ohiogop.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ross-county-slate-card.pdf
- https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/ohio/
- 2025 financial disclosure statement, Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
- https://www.wnewsj.com/news/75230/time-to-try-another-challenge-as-shane-wilkin-attends-last-meeting-as-highland-county-commissioner
- https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/132/hb402/votes
- https://shanewilkin.com/about
- https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb103
- 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 Senator, District 17 election?
The election for Ohio State Senator, District 17 is on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for Ohio State Senator, District 17 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Senator, District 17, in surname order: Brian Deer (Democratic), Shane Wilkin (Republican).
Who holds the Ohio State Senator, District 17 seat now?
The seat is held by Shane Wilkin.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Senator, District 17, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-senate-17/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03