In 2022, Ohio Citizen Action announced its first round of political endorsements in nearly 30 years. Ohio’s elected officials had turned a blind eye to monumental issues such as climate change, gerrymandering, and corruption for far too long. Ohio Citizen Action is ready to help mobilize support for candidates who put Ohioans first.

In 2023, it became obvious that if Ohio was to shift the balance of power away from legislative Super Majorities and toward more inclusive, progressive policies, a few key victories were critical. The defeat of Issue 1 in August, preserving majority rule for Constitutional amendments, and the passage of Issue 1 in November, enshrining reproductive rights and healthcare, demonstrated that Ohio voters are ready for change. A few key races and issues rise to the top to ensure this desire for change becomes a reality.

The following candidates and issues have been recommended by Ohio Citizen Action for the November 2024 election:

The Citizens Not Politicians Constitutional Amendment


Issue 1, the Citizens Not Politicians Constitutional Amendment, would ensure voters select their elected officials instead of politicians selecting their voters. Heavily gerrymandered districts have resulted in a stagnant legislature that has been the least productive since 1950. The amendment would allow citizens to draw legislative and Congressional districts, rather than the politicians that benefit from the maps. This amendment institutes a transparent process that puts power back in the hands of voters.

The Citizens Not Politicians Amendment will:

  • Create the 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission made up of Democratic, Republican, and Independent citizens who broadly represent the different geographic areas and demographics of the state. 
  • Ban current or former politicians, political party officials and lobbyists from sitting on the Commission.
  • Require fair and impartial districts by making it unconstitutional to draw voting districts that discriminate against or favor any political party or individual politician.
  • Require the commission to operate under an open and independent process. 

Sherrod Brown (D) for U.S. Senate from Ohio

OCA has endorsed incumbent US Senator Sherrod Brown because he has been a long-standing champion of the issues we care most about in Ohio. In addition, protecting Senator Brown’s seat could be the deciding factor in maintaining a more progressive Senate majority. Priority issues for Senator Brown include:

  • Commitment to creating clean energy jobs and bringing federal investments to Ohio, including his work to develop and fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act
  • Fiercely defends reproductive and voting rights
  • Dedicated to preserving the dignity of the Ohio worker
  • Advocates for Ohio’s farming community by reducing barriers for farmers in voluntary markets

Ohio Congressional Races

Key Congressional races in Ohio for the 2024 election mirror those from 2022. Current Congresswomen Kaptur and Sykes will be running against well-known current and former state legislators this cycle, and it will be critical to maintain the seat picked up in 2022 by Congressman Greg Landsman who defeated Steve Chabot. These three members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation embody the principles contained in the OCA mission and vision for the state.

Marcy Kaptur (D) for U.S. Representative from District 9

  • Longest serving woman in the US Congress
  • Strong environmental advocate, supporting a permanent ban on Great Lakes drilling and securing federal dollars for Ottawa Wildlife Refuge Complex
  • Co-sponsored the Freedom to Vote Act to help secure elections and ban dark money
  • Advocates for social security, net neutrality, and fair trade

Emilia Sykes (D) for U.S. Representative from District 13

  • Committed to environmental issues and public health within her district
  • Introduced the WISE Act for sustainable water infrastructure projects and secured $46M for Canton Water department
  • Co-sponsored the Freedom to Vote Act that focused on advancing campaign finance reform
  • Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee

Greg Landsman (D) for U.S. Representative from District 1

  • Staunch advocate for pro-environment and pro-democracy legislation
  • Secured $14.5M for infrastructure projects in Southwest Ohio
  • Made centering justice a priority in his environmental work
  • Launched the What Works Caucus for effective federal spending

Ohio Supreme Court Races

The three Ohio Supreme Court candidates recommended for endorsement have committed to defend the reproductive rights secured in November 2022 and will likely continue to see issues of electoral importance. Beginning in 2022, Ohio Supreme Court candidates are now identified with their political party tags on the ballot, making their elections partisan in nature. The Ohio Supreme is one of only a handful of courts that could potentially flip its partisan makeup in 2024, and the only one of those using partisan tags on the ballot. In Ohio, Republicans have controlled a majority on the state Supreme Court since 1986. Republican victories in Ohio Supreme Court races in 2024 could lead to a 6-1 majority at a time when reproductive and voting rights are at risk

Justice Melody Stewart (D) for Ohio Supreme Court

  • First African American woman elected to the Ohio Supreme Court
  • Designated highest rated Supreme Court Candidate by the Ohio State Bar Association
  • Advocates for redistricting reform and protecting voting rights
  • Drafted majority opinion on restricting transfer of mineral rights for drilling

Justice Michael P. Donnelly (D) for Ohio Supreme Court

  • Elected in 2018 with 61% of the vote
  • Repeatedly voted to reject gerrymandered legislative districts that violated Ohio’s Constitution
  • Advocates for criminal justice reform and eliminating wrongful convictions
  • Authored majority opinion rolling back unfair utility surcharges on Ohio consumers

Appellate Judge Lisa Forbes (D) for Ohio Supreme Court

  • Elected to the bench in 2020
  • Experience in both appeals courts and trial courts across Ohio
  • Experienced in complex litigation including oil and gas disputes
  • Believes the court should act as a firewall to ensure lawmakers cannot avoid implementing policies passed by Ohio voters

State Legislative Races

The political breakdown of the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate has consisted of disproportionate, gerrymandered representation for decades. As a result, we are seeing a lack of accountability, the introduction of extreme legislation and stagnant governance. While the passage of Issue 1 could help to create more balanced, competitive districts, there are opportunities in the November election to retain and elect state legislators who have committed to protecting reproductive rights, advancing clean energy, and securing voter rights.

Sue Durichko (D) for Ohio Senate District 24

  • Currently serving as a City Councilwoman at Large in Parma Heights
  • Years of civic and municipal experience to Ohio Senate District 24
  • A geriatric nurse for more than 15 years and advocate for policies that protect a patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions
  • Supports fair districts and measures to increase voter turnout, such as automatic voter registration and expanded early voting options

Rachel B. Baker (D) for Ohio House District 27

  • Running for her second term in the Ohio House of Representatives
  • Holds a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Cincinnati
  • Strong advocate for improving access to quality healthcare, including mental health services
  • Fierce defender of reproductive rights
  • Supports moving the state toward more renewable energy development

Karen Brownlee (D) for Ohio House District 28

  • Defender of democracy, opposed to measures that lead to voter suppression and gerrymandering
  • Would work across the aisle to protect voting rights
  • A clinical social worker and mother of three
  • Strong supporter of reproductive rights