Ohio State Senator, District 7
November 3, 2026 · general election · District 7 · 2 candidates with a page
The seat is open. Sen. Steve Wilson (R) has held the seat since 2017 and is not running for re-election in 2026, so the seat is open.
Sources: ballotpedia.org · ballotpedia.org
About this district
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Senate | Ohio Senate, Ohio's 7th District | Ohio State Senator, District 7 |
Last time, 2022: Steve Wilson (Republican) 61.6% · 95,414 votes; David Dallas (Democratic) 38.4% · 59,563 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.
- Chief executive officer of DPA Buying Group.
- Appointed by Gov. John Kasich to the Miami University Board of Trustees, term beginning March 1, 2018.
- Nominated by President Trump to the board of trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation; the nomination was sent to the Senate on September 8, 2020.
7 of 11 sections researched · 17 sources
- Medical doctor.
7 of 11 sections researched · 14 sources
Zac Haines
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 |
Cara Jacob
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 |
The race in pictures
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Status |
|---|
| None found in the records checked |
Jump to a candidate
- Zac Haines: Where they stand · What they have said, checked · Record in office · Money
- Cara Jacob: 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
Zac Haines
I will work make life more affordable for Ohio families. That means lowering property taxes, reducing energy bills, and bringing down healthcare costs. Families should be able to keep more of what they earn and have greater financial security.
Source: Zac Haines
Cara Jacob
None found in the records checked
Education
Zac Haines
None found in the records checked
Cara Jacob
We deserve a legislature that ensures every child no matter their zip code gets a world-class, well-funded public education.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Government spending
Zac Haines
I will work to cut government waste and make sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. Government should be accountable for how it uses the money families and businesses work hard to earn.
Source: Zac Haines
Cara Jacob
None found in the records checked
Health care
Zac Haines
None found in the records checked
Cara Jacob
Healthcare access and affordability are under threat. Federal Medicaid cuts, risks to expansion in Ohio, and expiring ACA subsidies put our entire system, especially rural hospitals and clinics operating on thin margins at risk.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Property taxes
Zac Haines
None found in the records checked
Cara Jacob
This shifts the burden onto property taxes to make up those funding deficits and communities keep paying more while getting less.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Public safety
Zac Haines
Dedicated Conservative who’s committed to defending our rights and keeping our communities safe.
Source: hainesforohio.com
I will work to protect our families and keep our neighborhoods safe. That means standing with the men and women of law enforcement and making sure they have the training, tools, and resources they need to do their jobs.
Source: Zac Haines
Cara Jacob
None found in the records checked
Taxes
Zac Haines
Helping our families keep more of what they earn by fighting for low taxes and expanding opportunities for small businesses.
Source: hainesforohio.com
Cara Jacob
If we want to truly invest in Ohio families, we have to fix our broken tax code.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Why they are running
Zac Haines
The Conservative Leader We Can Count On
Source: hainesforohio.com
Cara Jacob
My name is Cara Jacob and I am running for Ohio State Senate in Senate District 7 to fight for working families, support our public schools, advocate for affordable and accessible healthcare, defend our democratic principles and enact policies that keep our communities safe.
Source: caraforohio.com
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.
Zac Haines
None found in the records checked
Cara Jacob
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haines (R) | 2018-03-01 | office | Member, Miami University Board of Trustees |
Zac Haines
Not yet researched
Cara Jacob
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 |
Zac Haines
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 37,584.91 | 7.2% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 125,737.34 | 24.0% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 82,796.09 | 15.8% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 276,987.81 | 53.0% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 12, 2026: raised $120,381, spent $163,322, cash on hand $359,784.
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
Cara Jacob
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 21,094.27 | 38.4% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Spent | 9,575.54 | 17.4% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 16,712.96 | 30.4% | |
| Other funds (derived) | Cash on hand | 7,586.68 | 13.8% |
Totals as filed
OhioSOS, as of June 12, 2026: raised $37,807, spent $30,670, cash on hand $24,300.
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 State Senate District 7 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- November 2026 General Election Candidate List (dated 8/21/2026) · Hamilton County Board of Elections · 2026-08-21 · accessed 2026-09-30
- https://ballotpedia.org/Steve_Wilson
- Zac Haines · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Haines for Ohio · Haines for Ohio (Zachary) · 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://www.miamioh.edu/news/campus-news/2018/03/zachary-haines-new-trustee.html
- https://www.miamioh.edu/news/miami-in-the-news/2020/04/miami-board-trustee.html
- https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/eleven-nominations-three-withdrawals-sent-senate/
- https://www.hainesforohio.com/wp-content/themes/haines/assets/Haines_Bio.pdf
- https://ohio-chamber-object-storage-m0uzx.sevalla.storage/uploads/2026/July/13/FOR%20IMMEDIATE%20RELEASE.pdf
- https://ohio-chamber-object-storage-m0uzx.sevalla.storage/uploads/2026/March/27/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://ohiolife.org/2026-ortl-pac-recommendations/
- https://ohiogop.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/hamilton-county-slate-card.pdf
- https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/ohio/
- Cara Jacob · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-22 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Cara Jacob for Ohio Senate · Friends of Cara Jacob · accessed 2026-09-22
- https://oft-aft.org/2026election
- https://uawpower.org/states/ohio
- https://gunsensevoter.org/states/oh/voterguide/
- https://gunsensevoter.org/faq/
- https://ohea.org/oea-candidate-recommendations/
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-advocates-ohio/elections
- 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
Quick answers
When was the 2026 Ohio State Senator, District 7 election?
The election for Ohio State Senator, District 7 was held on November 3, 2026.
Who ran for Ohio State Senator, District 7 in 2026?
On the ballot for Ohio State Senator, District 7, in surname order: Zac Haines (Republican), Cara Jacob (Democratic).
Who holds the Ohio State Senator, District 7 seat now?
The seat is held by Steve Wilson. The seat is open in this election.
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Ohio State Senator, District 7, 2026", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2026/ohio-senate-7/, built 2026-11-04, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-04