Ohio Democrats Flip Three Seats: 8 to 7

Eight Democrats and seven Republicans now hold Ohio's congressional seats following the 2026 elections. This result overturns the 12 to 3 advantage that Republicans built when they redrew the state's fifteen districts earlier in the year. The shift sends a new majority of Democrats from Ohio to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Three incumbent Republicans lost their positions. Don Leonard defeated Mike Carey in a district covering Columbus suburbs and rural areas to the south and west. Brian Poindexter beat Max Miller in Cleveland's suburban district. Kristina Knickerbocker defeated Mike Turner in the Dayton area, though the Associated Press had not yet officially certified that race as of Wednesday afternoon.

Leonard, a former city planning professor at Ohio State University, credited voter sentiment for the outcome. He told WOSU that Democrats won because voters view the Republican agenda as bankrupt. He stated that no map could have saved the party from the losses it suffered.

The district Leonard won saw higher turnout in southern and western Franklin County than in previous cycles. Leonard captured more than 60 percent of the vote in those areas. That compares to 53 percent for candidates who ran against Carey in 2024 and 2022. Rural areas such as Pickaway, Madison, and Fayette counties also saw increased participation, though Carey's vote share declined compared to prior years.

The other two races featured challengers with distinct backgrounds. Poindexter is a union ironworker and a Brook Park City Council member. He defeated Miller, who faced accusations of abusing his daughter and ex-wife. Miller denies any wrongdoing. Knickerbocker is a U.S. Air Force veteran and nurse. She unseated Turner, who served as a congressman for twenty years and previously held the office of mayor in Dayton.

Paul Beck, a professor emeritus at Ohio State University, joined Leonard on the WOSU program All Sides with Amy Juravich. Beck said voters were frustrated with corruption associated with President Donald Trump and Ohio Republicans. He specifically noted that Carey's career as a coal lobbyist worked against him. Beck argued that lobbyists are viewed as supportive of the wealthy. He also cited the FirstEnergy scandal as an undercurrent that hurt Republican candidate Jon Husted.

Leonard joined five other Democrats who won reelection. Those reelected officials are Joyce Beatty, Greg Landsman, Marcy Kaptur, Shontel Brown, and Emilia Sykes. Seven Republicans also secured their seats. They are Troy Balderson, Jim Jordan, Warren Davidson, Dave Joyce, Dave Taylor, Bob Latta, and Michael Rulli.

Leonard plans to open three district offices. He intends to place one in the Hilltop neighborhood, one on the south side of Columbus, and one in rural Highland County. He described his office concept as resembling a cafe. He also promised to create an app to streamline constituent services. His goal is to handle issues with federal, state, and local agencies for everyday residents.

Upon taking office, Leonard aims for a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee or the Appropriations Committee. He plans to introduce legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks. He also intends to craft new ethics rules for the chamber. He stated that he will work to solve problems for voters in Piqua, Hillsboro, and other rural parts of the district.