Person
Don Leonard
- Work
- Assistant professor of practice in city and regional planning, The Ohio State University, about 10 years; resigned in January 2026 to campaign
Sources: Don Leonard · Democrat Don Leonard advances to face Rep. Mike Carey for Congress (The Columbus Dispatch, via AOL) · Former professor turned congressional candidate discusses arrest and campaign
- Work
- Postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University and Tulane University
Sources: Don Leonard (featured speaker) · Bio
- Public service
- U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia, 2004-2006
Sources: Don Leonard · Don Leonard (featured speaker)
- Public service
- Served in the U.S. Peace Corps in South America.
Source: ballotpedia.org
- Education
- B.A. in political science, 2002, and M.A., 2004, University of Massachusetts; Ph.D. in government, Cornell University, 2014
Sources: Don Leonard · Don Leonard (featured speaker)
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in political science, University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Source: ballotpedia.org
- Education
- Master's degree in regional development, University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Source: ballotpedia.org
- $1.3MRaised, as filed · October 14, 2026
- $98KCash on hand · October 14, 2026
- 48%Latest poll · Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC, October 12, 2026
- 5Positions in their words · 5 issues
- none on fileClaims checked
- none on fileOffices held
9 of 11 sections researched
Not yet researched: What they have said, checked, Record in office.
What has been checked
- Profile 9 entries
- On the ballot 1 entry
- Where they stand 5 entries Five positions in his own words: four from his campaign website, which Ballotpedia reproduces verbatim and dates April 24, 2026, and one from his Candidate Connection survey.
- What they have said, checked None found in the records checked PolitiFact and FactCheck.org searched 2026-09-25: none found Checked: Research lane claims-2026, 2026-09-25
- Record in office None found in the records checked He has not held elected office, so there is no record in office to list. His opponent is an incumbent and has one. Checked: Ballotpedia's profile, which lists no elected office held
- Money 20 entries Contributions and expenditures for the 2026 cycle. The figures run through June 30, 2026, the end of the July Quarterly report, the latest the FEC had as of September 30, 2026.
- Financial interests 6 entries
- Polling and approval 2 entries
- Elections 1 entry The 2026 candidacy, including the May 5 Democratic primary he won with 52.9 percent.
- Endorsements 8 entries
- Sources 2 entries
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Section | State |
|---|---|
| profile | researched |
| ballot | researched |
| positions | researched |
| claims | none found |
| record | none found |
| money | researched |
| interests | researched |
| polling | researched |
| elections | researched |
| endorsements | researched |
| sources | researched |
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Chamber | District | Note |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. House | U.S. House, Ohio's 15th District | U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District |
On the ballot
- U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District · November 3, 2026 · Democratic
Source: Ohio elections, 2026
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Date | Deadline | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 18, 2026 | Military and overseas absentee voting begins | The start of absentee voting for military and overseas (UOCAVA) voters. | |
| October 5, 2026 | Voter registration deadline | 9 p.m. | Boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State's office are open until 9 p.m. to accept registrations. |
| October 6, 2026 | Absentee voting by mail and early in-person voting begin | Early in-person voting runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October 6 through October 9; hours change on later dates through Election Day. | |
| October 22, 2026 | Pre-general campaign finance reports due | 4 p.m. | Certain candidates, political action committees, caucus committees and political parties file by 4 p.m. reports covering contributions and expenditures through October 14, 2026. |
| October 27, 2026 | Deadline for boards to receive absentee ballot applications | 8:30 p.m. | Applications for an absentee ballot must reach the county board by this time. |
| November 1, 2026 | Last day of early in-person voting | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Early in-person voting at county boards of elections ends on Sunday, November 1; the hours that day are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the table above. By October 29, nearly 1.3 million Ohioans had already voted early in person or returned absentee ballots (Journal-News; Signal Ohio's counts from the Secretary of State's daily absentee file add to 1,289,090). The 2022 midterm saw 1.47 million early votes, then a record. |
| November 2, 2026 | No early in-person voting at boards of elections | Early in-person voting at county boards of elections ended Sunday, November 1; there is no voting at boards of elections on Monday, November 2. Voters cast ballots at their assigned polling places on Tuesday, November 3. | |
| November 3, 2026 | Deadline for non-military/overseas absentee ballots to be received | 7:30 p.m. | Absentee ballots not covered by UOCAVA must be received by this time on Election Day. |
| November 3, 2026 | Last-minute absentee request for a hospitalization emergency | 3 p.m. | A voter, or a voter's minor child, who is hospitalized because of an accident or medical emergency may apply for an absentee ballot until 3 p.m. on Election Day. |
| November 3, 2026 | Polls open | 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Election Day voting hours statewide. |
| November 7, 2026 | Deadline for military and overseas (UOCAVA) absentee ballots to be received | The extended receipt deadline for UOCAVA absentee ballots. | |
| November 8, 2026 | Boards of elections may begin the official canvass | County boards may begin the official canvass of the November 3 General Election ballots (5 days after the election). | |
| November 18, 2026 | Deadline for boards to begin the official canvass | County boards must begin the official canvass of November 3 General Election ballots no later than this date (15 days after the election). | |
| November 24, 2026 | Deadline for boards to complete the official canvass | County boards must complete the canvass of November 3 General Election ballots no later than this date (21 days after the election). | |
| December 11, 2026 | Post-general campaign finance reports due | 4 p.m. | Certain candidates, political action committees, caucus committees and political parties file by 4 p.m. reports covering contributions and expenditures through December 4, 2026. |
Where they stand
Campaign finance
The Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC represents a complete betrayal of America's founding principles.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Childcare
Great care for our little ones shouldn’t cost a second mortgage.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Health insurance
All Americans deserve quality insurance they can afford to use.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Home ownership
Every working American should be able to afford to own a home.
Source: ballotpedia.org
Wages and the economy
We need an economy where every full-time job supports a full life, whether it’s in food services or investment banking. Where our kids can eventually afford to move out of the house and start a life of their own.
Source: ballotpedia.org
What they have said, checked
None found in the records checked
Record in office
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Status |
|---|
| None found in the records checked |
Money
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| From | To | Dollars | Share of total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised | Spent | 1,232,136.96 | 92.7% | |
| Raised | Cash on hand | 97,706.71 | 7.3% |
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Bar | Segment | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 U.S. House 15, as of June 30, 2026, for the election cycle | Ohio | 361,032 | 73.3% |
| 2026 U.S. House 15, as of June 30, 2026, for the election cycle | Elsewhere | 131,508.25 | 26.7% |
Totals as filed
| Race | Filer | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District | FEC C00913491 | $1,329,844 | $1,232,137 | $97,707 | October 14, 2026 |
| U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District | FEC C00913491 | $1,145,777 | $949,716 | $196,061 | September 30, 2026 |
| U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District | FEC C00913491 | $606,658 | $354,256 | $252,402 | June 30, 2026 |
Source: FEC-2038041 Pre-General
From the FEC's candidate summary file, which adds up a candidate's authorized committees and nets out refunds, so it can differ from one committee's own report.
Sources: All candidates summary file, 2025-2026 (FEC bulk file weball26; last modified 2026-10-16 05:40 GMT) · FEC candidate H6OH15112, 2026 cycle financial summary
From inside Ohio: $361,032 (73%), as of June 30, 2026. Sum of itemized individual contributions (contributor entity IND, transaction types 10, 15 and 15E) to committee C00913491 in the FEC bulk file indiv26.zip for the 2025-2026 period, transactions dated 2025-04-09 to 2026-06-30 in whole dollars as the file carries them, memo rows (MEMO_CD X), refunds and the candidate's own contributions excluded; an Ohio address means the contributor's filed STATE is OH.
Sources: fec.gov · fec.gov · fec.gov
Sources: ballotpedia.org · fec.gov · FEC candidate H6OH15112, 2026 cycle financial summary · OpenFEC candidate totals, Ohio U.S. House, 2026 (coverage through June 30, 2026)
Top donors, filed amounts first
An amount reported, committed or refunded rather than filed, or lent by the candidate, says so beside it and comes after every filed one.
-
FAIR SHOT PAC · $2,000 · PAC · Out of state · U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District
CLARK
-
LEONARD, DON · $1,920 · the candidate · In state · U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District
the candidate's own contributions to the campaign
Sources: FEC-2038041 Pre-General (coverage through 2026-10-14) · fec.gov · fec.gov · fec.gov
-
BARRIER TO ENTRY PAC · $1,000 · PAC · In state · U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District
-
MILLER FOR AMERICA · $1,000 · campaign committee · In state · U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District
-
LEONARD, DON · $10,000 loan from the candidate · the candidate · In state · U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District
the candidate; $5,000 of it repaid through October 14, 2026
Sources: FEC-2038041 Pre-General (coverage through 2026-10-14) · fec.gov · fec.gov · fec.gov
Outside spending
-
U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District · supporting $2,272,895 · opposing $2,652,203 · as of October 30, 2026
SAFETY & AFFORDABILITY PAC INC. · $1,653,250 · oppose
YOUR COMMUNITY PAC · $1,540,138 · support
CFFE PAC · $395,227 · support
Financial interests
Disclosed holdings
-
New residence, located in Columbus, OH, US: value $250,001 - $500,000, as filed; owner listed as joint (JT).
July 28, 2026
-
Empower S&P 500 Index Fund - Investor Class (MXVIX), held in Forbes Retirement: value $250,001 - $500,000, as filed; owner listed as spouse (SP).
July 28, 2026
-
Former residence, located in Columbus, OH, US: value $100,001 - $250,000, as filed; owner listed as joint (JT).
July 28, 2026
-
Empower S&P 500 Index Fund - Investor Class (MXVIX), held in Don's Retirement: value $100,001 - $250,000, as filed; owner listed as joint (JT).
July 28, 2026
Disclosed income
-
Earned income (spouse salary) from The Ohio State University: $47,600.02 for the current year to filing and $99,945.43 for the preceding year, as filed.
July 28, 2026
-
Earned income (Salary) from The Ohio State University: $10,604.41 for the current year to filing and $79,956.88 for the preceding year, as filed.
July 28, 2026
Reported conflicts
None found in the records checked.
Net worth, as estimated
None found in the records checked.
Polling and approval
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
| Field date | Candidate | Share | Poll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25, 2026 | Don Leonard | 40 | Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC, OH-15 voters, field period June 23-25, 2026; conducted by Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC; sample size and margin of error not stated in the release |
| Oct 12, 2026 | Don Leonard | 48 | Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC, OH-15 voters, field period October 9-12, 2026; conducted by Hart Research for House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC; sample size, margin of error and voter screen not stated in the memo |
-
Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC · October 12, 2026 · U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District
Carey 45 · Leonard 48
OH-15 voters, field period October 9-12, 2026; conducted by Hart Research for House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC; sample size, margin of error and voter screen not stated in the memo
Source: HMP MEMO: House Battleground Extends Deep Into Trump Territory
-
Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC · June 25, 2026 · U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District
Barrington 3 · Carey 45 · Leonard 40
OH-15 voters, field period June 23-25, 2026; conducted by Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC; sample size and margin of error not stated in the release
Source: HMP Poll: Don Leonard Within Striking Distance of Mike Carey in OH-15
Elections
| Race | Party | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Representative, Ohio's 15th District (2026) | Democratic | Pending |
Endorsements
Endorsements received
unionAmerican Federation of Government Employees
September 16, 2026
The union's release, which also endorsed David Joyce for reelection in the 14th District, cites Leonard's outreach to its members and his refusal of corporate PAC money.
Source: afge.org
organizationEnd Citizens United
June 18, 2026
Endorsed after the primary.
Sources: endcitizensunited.org · endcitizensunited.org
unionUnited Auto Workers
2026
Listed on the UAW's Ohio endorsement page, which gives no year or date.
Source: uawpower.org
organizationPlanned Parenthood Action Fund
2026
Listed on the fund's 2026 endorsed-candidates page, which gives no date.
Source: plannedparenthoodaction.org
unionOhio Federation of Teachers
2026
Listed on the union's 2026 election endorsement page, which gives no date.
Source: oft-aft.org
unionNational Education Association
2026
Listed on the NEA's 2026 recommended-candidates page, which gives no date.
Source: educationvotes.nea.org
organizationMoms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate (a distinction, not an endorsement)
2026
Named a Gun Sense Candidate for 2026. Moms Demand Action says the distinction "is not an endorsement from Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund or its volunteer networks, and it should not be represented as such."
Sources: gunsensevoter.org · gunsensevoter.org · gunsensevoter.org
unionCommunications Workers of America
2026
Listed on CWA District 4's 2026 Ohio endorsed-candidates page for the Nov. 3 general election, which gives no date.
Source: cwa-union.org
Sources
Every URL on this page, once each.
- Ohio elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-19 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Don Leonard · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-19 · CC BY-SA 3.0 or later, per Ballotpedia's terms
- Don Leonard · The Ohio State University, Center for Latin American Studies · accessed 2026-09-24
- Don Leonard (featured speaker) · University of Massachusetts Lowell · accessed 2026-09-24
- Democrat Don Leonard advances to face Rep. Mike Carey for Congress (The Columbus Dispatch, via AOL) · The Columbus Dispatch (via AOL) · 2026-05-05 · accessed 2026-09-24
- Former professor turned congressional candidate discusses arrest and campaign · The Lantern · 2026-04-08 · accessed 2026-09-24
- Bio · Don Leonard for US Congress · accessed 2026-09-24
- https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00913491/?cycle=2026
- https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?committee_id=C00913491&two_year_transaction_period=2026
- https://www.fec.gov/files/bulk-downloads/2026/pas226.zip
- FEC-2038041 Pre-General (coverage through 2026-10-14) · Federal Election Commission · accessed 2026-11-01
- https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6OH15112/?cycle=2026
- https://www.endcitizensunited.org/news/end-citizens-united-endorses-don-leonard-for-ohios-15th-congressional-district
- https://www.endcitizensunited.org/endorsements/
- https://uawpower.org/states/ohio
- https://educationvotes.nea.org/plan-your-vote/our-recommended-candidates/
- https://www.oft-aft.org/2026election
- https://cwa-union.org/candidates-oh
- https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/endorsements
- https://gunsensevoter.org/states/oh/voterguide/
- https://gunsensevoter.org/candidates/3bb4e330790b68c31cf12f6917bda9a65768226bf5eeaba2d87bf5b179f0e92b/
- https://gunsensevoter.org/faq/
- https://www.afge.org/publication/largest-federal-employee-union-endorses-ohio-rep-dave-joyce-for-reelection-and-don-leonard-for-election-to-congress
- https://www.fec.gov/data/candidates/?q=Don%20Leonard
- FEC candidate H6OH15112, 2026 cycle financial summary · Federal Election Commission · accessed 2026-09-30
- OpenFEC candidate totals, Ohio U.S. House, 2026 (coverage through June 30, 2026) · Federal Election Commission · accessed 2026-09-30
- https://www.fec.gov/files/bulk-downloads/2026/oppexp26.zip
- https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?committee_id=C00913491&two_year_transaction_period=2026
- https://www.fec.gov/files/bulk-downloads/2026/indiv26.zip
- All candidates summary file, 2025-2026 (FEC bulk file weball26; last modified 2026-10-16 05:40 GMT) · Federal Election Commission · 2026-10-16 · accessed 2026-10-16
- Financial Disclosure Report, Candidate Report, filing year 2026, Filing ID #10081075, Don Ralph Leonard · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · 2026-07-28 · accessed 2026-09-24
- Independent expenditures, 2026 election cycle (FEC bulk file; last modified 2026-10-08 10:13 GMT) · Federal Election Commission · 2026-10-08 · accessed 2026-10-08
- HMP Poll: Don Leonard Within Striking Distance of Mike Carey in OH-15 · Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC · 2026-07-06 · accessed 2026-10-05
- HMP MEMO: House Battleground Extends Deep Into Trump Territory · Hart Research Associates for House Majority PAC · 2026-10-21 · accessed 2026-10-24
Cite and data
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Don Leonard", https://crackedbuckeye.com/people/don-leonard/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].
How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03