Ohio 12th District
Troy Balderson (R) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Troy Balderson
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 116 of 125 votes and bills.
Raised $2,187,393 since January 2025: 58% from PACs and other committees, 38% from people, 4% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Jerrad Christian
Democrat · Navy veteran and software engineer
FLiberty Score F23 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Christian has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Christian.
Raised $139,968 since January 2025: 96% from people, 4% from the party. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Troy Balderson. Troy Balderson: A, 95 out of 100 from recorded votes. Jerrad Christian: F, 23 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Ohio: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Jerrad Christian, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Christian, so the grade above comes from this list: what Christian has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Calls for halting offensive military aid to Israel and conditioning future aid on international law.
“We should immediately halt offensive military aid, demand a permanent ceasefire, and condition any future assistance on compliance with international law.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Halting and conditioning weapons to Israel is against liberty on free nations.
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Says Ukraine has the right to defend itself and that the US should support it.
“Ukraine has the right to defend its sovereignty. That is not negotiable. We should support them.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Putin is with liberty on free nations.
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Says capital gains should be taxed at the same rate as wages.
“Capital gains should not be taxed at a lower rate than wages.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A higher tax on investment income is against liberty on free markets.
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Calls for universal healthcare.
“Universal healthcare breaks that chain.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-provided health care for all is against liberty on free markets.
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Describes DEIA, CRT and transgender athletes as issues politicians use to divide Americans.
“Instead of discussing policies to improve our conditions, corrupt politicians direct our attention to boogeymen like The 1619 Project, CRT, DEIA, and transgender athletes.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Treating opposition to DEIA and transgender athlete limits as manufactured fear is against liberty on equal rights.
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Calls for audits and oversight of Defense Department spending without saying whether to cut it.
“Patriotism is not writing blank checks.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Demanding accountability does not say whether the budget would be cut.
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Says abolishing ICE and replacing it with a narrower system is a conversation the country needs to have.
“Abolishing ICE as it exists and replacing it with a narrowly tailored, accountable system focused on real public safety is a serious conversation this country needs to have.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is against liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Ohio 12th District
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