Person
Allison Russo
Ballotpedia · Chamber directory · Official site · Ohio campaign finance · Wikipedia
8 of 11 sections researched
Not yet researched: What they have said, checked, Polling and approval, Endorsements given.
What has been checked
- Profile 7 entries
- On the ballot 1 entry
- Where they stand 8 entries
- What they have said, checked None found in the records checked No rated fact-check of a claim by or about her was found. Checked: The research archive fact-check pass of 2026-09-18, which searched PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, AP Fact Check and The Washington Post Fact Checker
- Record in office 5 entries
- Money 15 entries
- Financial interests 6 entries
- Polling and approval None found in the records checked No poll of this race was found. Checked: Published general-election polling of the 2026 Ohio secretary of state race
- Elections 1 entry Only her 2026 candidacy is published. Her 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 Ohio House elections wait on records for those races.
- Endorsements given Not yet researched
- Sources 31 entries
On the ballot
- Secretary of State of Ohio · November 3, 2026 · Democratic
Sources: ballotpedia.org · ballotpedia.org · ohiocapitaljournal.com · wkyc.com
Where they stand
Ballot initiatives
Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:
Says the secretary of state should not personally advocate for particular ballot initiatives but should make sure citizen-led reform efforts get a fair shot at the ballot.
Source: statenews.org
Campaign message
protecting your voice, safeguarding your vote, and ensuring our elections remain fair, secure, and accessible
Source: allisonrusso.com
County boards of elections
Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:
Says her top priority is advocating for voters’ access to the ballot, and giving county boards of elections the resources and guidance they need to do their jobs.
Source: heraldstaronline.com
Redistricting
Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:
Calls the current redistricting process absolutely broken, and says she voted for a 2023 compromise map to move reform to the ballot box, defending that vote as the best of two bad options.
Source: signalohio.org
The role of the office
that’s going to come in on day one with the experience and ready to do the job, and to be the guardrail to both this legislature that we see that is openly hostile to voting and to the president of the United States himself
Source: statenews.org
Voting access
I’m running for secretary of state because I believe so strongly in the power of voting, and ensuring that every single Ohioan has access to fair, free and secure elections
Source: statenews.org
Voting by mail and registration
Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:
Supports continued vote-by-mail access for Ohio voters and says she wants to get more 18-year-olds registered.
Sources: allisonrusso.com · heraldstaronline.com
Who sets election rules
Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:
Says voters, not incumbent politicians, should control redistricting and election rules.
Source: allisonrusso.com
What they have said, checked
None found in the records checked
Record in office
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March 2026 · statement
Testified in a deposition about a January 2025 federal EEOC complaint by Sarah Cherry, chief legal counsel to the Ohio House Democratic caucus from 2011 to July 2023, who said she was forced out after raising concerns that female legislative staffers were paid less and disciplined more harshly than male colleagues, and after an incident in which she said Russo’s then chief of staff pushed her against a wall. Russo testified that she asked the staffer whether the allegation was true and was told it was not, that she did not personally investigate but consulted legal counsel, and that she did not believe the claims were substantiated. The complaint was pending as of that deposition.
Source: cleveland.com
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November 27, 2024 · action
Was named a defendant in a defamation suit filed in November 2024 in the Ohio Court of Claims by the then state representative Elliot Forhan, over a 2023 caucus memo documenting misconduct complaints against him that led to his discipline and the removal of privileges. In September 2025 a judge dismissed most of the claims, ruling that the conduct at issue was either protected political activity or did not meet the legal standard for defamation.
Allison Russo:
baseless
· the sourceSources: ohiocapitaljournal.com · cleveland.com
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September 2023 · vote
As one of two Democrats on the Ohio Redistricting Commission, voted with the commission’s five Republicans in a unanimous 7-0 vote to adopt new state House and Senate district maps. The vote became an issue in her 2026 campaign.
Allison Russo:
the best of two bad options
· the sourceSources: signalohio.org · en.wikipedia.org
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August 2023 · action
As House minority leader, helped lead the campaign against Issue 1, the August 2023 special election measure that would have raised the threshold to amend the Ohio Constitution from a simple majority to 60 percent. Issue 1 was defeated, with about 57 percent opposed.
Allison Russo:
The voters made it clear that the power of the people will always rise above deceitful, out-of-touch politicians
· the sourceSource: ohiohouse.gov
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2022 · action
As House minority leader, negotiated bipartisan state budget compromises in a chamber where Republicans held close to a two-thirds majority, and has authored or cosponsored bills signed into law since 2019, per her House Democratic caucus biography.
Source: ohiohouse.gov
Money
Totals as filed
| Race | Filer | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State of Ohio | OhioSOS | $367,725 | $175,773 | $192,458 | January 30, 2026 |
| Secretary of State of Ohio | OhioSOS | $155,000 | $72,500 | June 5, 2026 | |
| Secretary of State of Ohio | OhioSOS | $678,213 | $543,871 | June 30, 2026 | |
| Secretary of State of Ohio | OhioSOS | $135,396 | $465,628 | August 31, 2026 | |
| Secretary of State of Ohio | OhioSOS Citizens to Elect Allison Russo | $598,895 | $325,889 | $465,628 | September 3, 2026 |
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Source: ohiocapitaljournal.com
Source: transparencyusa.org
Source: ohiocpa.com
Sources: data.ohiosos.gov · www6.ohiosos.gov · ohiosos.gov
Top donors, as filed
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Elizabeth Z. Bartz · $33,231 · campaign committee · In state · Secretary of State of Ohio
Founder, president and chief executive of State and Federal Communications, Inc., an Akron political-compliance consulting firm
Source: transparencyusa.org
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OAPSE Making a Difference PCE · $20,000 · PAC · In state · Secretary of State of Ohio
Public employees union
Source: transparencyusa.org
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Catherine Schilling · $18,500 · campaign committee · Secretary of State of Ohio
Source: transparencyusa.org
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Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council PAC · $16,616 · PAC · In state · Secretary of State of Ohio
Building and construction trades
Source: transparencyusa.org
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Barbara Karplus · $16,615 · campaign committee · Secretary of State of Ohio
Source: transparencyusa.org
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Rod Womer · $16,615 · campaign committee · Secretary of State of Ohio
Source: transparencyusa.org
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International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers PAC · $16,600 · PAC · Secretary of State of Ohio
Electrical workers union
Source: transparencyusa.org
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OCSEA AFSCME Local 11 Political Action Fund · $16,000 · PAC · In state · Secretary of State of Ohio
Public employees union
Source: transparencyusa.org
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Ohio State Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters PCE · $16,000 · PAC · In state · Secretary of State of Ohio
Building and construction trades
Source: transparencyusa.org
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SEIU District 1199 PAC · $15,000 · PAC · In state · Secretary of State of Ohio
Health care workers union
Source: transparencyusa.org
Financial interests
Disclosed holdings
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Her disclosure lists Ohio Deferred Compensation and Ohio Public Employees Retirement System accounts and four T. Rowe Price funds: Blue Chip Growth, Emerging Markets Bond, Retirement 2040 and US Bond Enhanced Index. It lists no individual stock positions.
April 6, 2026
Source: www2.jlec-olig.state.oh.us
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Her disclosure lists two limited liability companies under businesses she or a member of her immediate family does business under: Ridgeline Aerotech LLC and Gatehouse Cybersecurity LLC. The form does not say who operates them, what they do or what they earn, and no public reporting the archive found describes their business.
April 6, 2026
Source: www2.jlec-olig.state.oh.us
Disclosed income
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Her financial disclosure for calendar year 2023, filed February 20, 2024, reported consulting income from Kennell and Associates, investment income from T. Rowe Price Trust Co., and a state representative’s salary, each in the $50,000 to $99,999 bracket.
February 20, 2024
Source: www2.jlec-olig.state.oh.us
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Her financial disclosure for calendar year 2025, filed April 6, 2026, reports more than $100,000 in income from Kennell and Associates, Inc., a health policy consulting firm, which is the top bracket the form uses.
April 6, 2026
Source: www2.jlec-olig.state.oh.us
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The same filing reports $50,000 to $99,999 in salary as an Ohio state representative.
April 6, 2026
Source: www2.jlec-olig.state.oh.us
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The same filing reports $25,000 to $49,999 in investment income from each of two accounts, at Mid Atlantic Trust Company and at T. Rowe Price Trust Co.
April 6, 2026
Source: www2.jlec-olig.state.oh.us
Polling and approval
None found in the records checked
Elections
| Race | Party | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State of Ohio (2026) | Democratic | Pending |
Offices held
Ohio House of Representatives, District 7 · 2019-01 to present · elected
Sources: ballotpedia.org · ohiohouse.gov
Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives · 2022-01 to 2025-06 · elected
Sources: ohiocapitaljournal.com · 10tv.com
Endorsements
Not yet researched
Sources
Data from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0: Allison Russo · 2026 Ohio Secretary of State election
Every URL on this page, once each.
- Allison Russo · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-18
- Allison Russo · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-18
- 2026 Ohio Secretary of State election · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio Secretary of State election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-18
- Former Ohio House Democratic leader Allison Russo is running for Ohio Secretary of State · Ohio Capital Journal · 2025-08-21 · accessed 2026-09-18
- In Ohio Secretary of State race, it will be Allison Russo v. Robert Sprague · Ohio Capital Journal / AP · 2026-05-05 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio primary preview: Democratic secretary of state race features lawmaker and cancer doc · The Statehouse News Bureau · 2026-04-13 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio primary election 2026: Democrat Allison Russo, Republican Robert Sprague win nominations for secretary of state · WKYC · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio's Allison Russo criticized for GOP redistricting vote · Signal Ohio · accessed 2026-09-18
- In primary contests for Ohio Secretary of State, debate features gerrymandering, election integrity · Ohio Capital Journal · 2026-04-08 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Former Ohio House Democrats' attorney alleges gender discrimination, retaliation in federal complaint · Cleveland.com · 2025-01-29 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Judge dismisses most of former Ohio lawmaker's lawsuit claiming 'political hit job' · Cleveland.com · 2025-09 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio Rep. Elliot Forhan sues Statehouse leaders in massive defamation suit · Ohio Capital Journal · 2024-11-27 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Democracy Prevails as Ohioans Defeat Issue 1 · Ohio House Democratic Caucus (official) · accessed 2026-09-18
- C. Allison Russo Biography · Ohio House of Representatives (official) · accessed 2026-09-18
- Home - Allison Russo for Ohio · Allison Russo for Ohio (campaign site) · accessed 2026-09-18
- About · Allison Russo for Ohio (campaign site) · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo stepping down from leadership role · Ohio Capital Journal · 2025-06-05 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Russo campaigns in Jefferson County, outlines election priorities · The Herald-Star (WTOV9 sister outlet) · 2026-08 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Russo hits Jefferson County trail, saying Ohio secretary of state must be nonpartisan · WTOV9 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo announces she is stepping down at the end of June · 10TV (WBNS) · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio Dems outraise Republicans in downballot statewide offices but still far behind in cash on hand · Ohio Capital Journal · 2026-07-03 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Fundraising reports highlight financial divide in Ohio statewide races · The Ohio Society of CPAs (Hannah News) · 2026-09-18 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Money in motion: New reports detail fundraising and spending in statewide elections · The Ohio Society of CPAs (Hannah News) · 2026-06-18 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Allison Russo - Ohio Candidate · Transparency USA — data through 2026-06-30 · accessed 2026-09-18
- In Democratic primary for Ohio secretary of state, a first-time candidate gains traction in race against party veteran · Signal Ohio · 2026-04-21 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ohio candidates can now use campaign funds for personal security as political threats increase · Signal Ohio · 2025-10-15 · accessed 2026-09-18
- Allison Russo -- 2025 Financial Disclosure Statement (filed 4/6/2026, for calendar year 2025) · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) · accessed 2026-09-18
- Allison Russo -- 2023 Financial Disclosure Statement (filed 2/20/2024, for calendar year 2023) · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) · accessed 2026-09-18
- Allison Russo -- index of all filed financial disclosure statements, 2017-2025 · Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee (JLEC) · accessed 2026-09-18
- About Us (identifies Elizabeth Z. Bartz as President and CEO) · State and Federal Communications, Inc. · accessed 2026-09-18
- https://data.ohiosos.gov/portal/campaign-finance
- https://www6.ohiosos.gov/ords/f?p=CFDISCLOSURE:4:::NO:RP,4::
- https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/campaign-finance
- Ohio campaign finance
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye (Open Shower Co), "Allison Russo", https://crackedbuckeye.com/people/allison-russo/, built 2026-09-19, accessed [date].
Machine-readable: /api/politics/people/allison-russo.json (open JSON, CC BY 4.0 for the compilation; the underlying records keep their own terms) · How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-09-19