American Motherhood

Ohio’s U.S. Senate race is one of the most closely watched in the country, and this week we sat down with Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton to talk about why. A mom of four daughters and a U.S. Senate candidate herself, Lt. Governor Stratton has spent her career advocating for families and championing change, from maternal health care to higher wages for working parents. She joined us while in Ohio campaigning on behalf of Sherrod Brown.

We talked about what it would mean to have Sherrod Brown back in the Senate, the priorities he would pick back up from his previous term, and how he would approach the current rising cost of groceries, housing, and childcare. We also asked the questions that matter most to the women in our community. Whether you’re raising kids now, hoping to someday, or supporting the families around you, what should you be asking yourself about the future we want as you prepare to vote? And what’s really at stake for the next generation?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, and early voting is open now at your county board of elections. Regardless of how you vote, every mom has a voice. So please use it.

Learn more about Sherrod Brown here. 

Get to know Juliana Stratton here.

In this final episode of our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series, we sit down with Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, State Representative for Ohio House District 4 and Ohio House Minority Whip.

Since she’s running unopposed this year, we take advantage of her expertise to pull back the curtain on how a political party actually works, from the Democratic National Committee to our county parties. We talk about what the caucus is, who really influences legislators, how much independence they also have, and how we can have a voice in the party to make sure our district’s needs are addressed. 

Our goal isn’t to tell you who to vote for. It’s to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.

Thank you for following along with us this season! Listen to the full conversation and catch up on every episode of our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.

Connect with Beryl Brown Piccolantonio:

• Berylforohio.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• X

Resources for this conversation:

We’ve included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.

1. Ohio Revised Code 3517.03: The state law that structures both major parties in Ohio, including state and county central committees, whose members are elected in the primaries.
2. Democratic National Committee: The national party, which sets the platform, runs the presidential nominating process, and supports state parties.
3. Ohio Democratic Party: The state party, with information on leadership, county parties, and ways to get involved.
4. Franklin County Democratic Party: The county party for District 4, with local endorsements, events, and volunteer opportunities.
5. Ohio Republican Party: For comparison. State law gives both major parties the same committee structure.
6. United She Stands: Unpacking the “Establishment Democrat”: Rep. Brown Piccolantonio joins Ashley and Sara to break down what the term really means.
7. American Motherhood: Rep. Beryl x Private School Vouchers: Our earlier conversation with Rep. Brown Piccolantonio on EdChoice vouchers.
8. American Motherhood: Can Republicans and Democrats Still Find Common Ground?: Our interview with Senator Blessing, referenced in this episode.

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Shelby Kimball, a mom of four, Marine Corps and Army National Guard veteran, and the Democratic candidate running to represent Ohio House District 60 in Delaware County, to talk about the issues that matter to Ohio families.

We dig into her priorities for the state, including strong public schools, affordable and accessible healthcare, and support for veterans and military families. Shelby also shares how years of navigating the same systems so many Ohio families rely on, from classrooms to doctor’s offices, shaped her decision to run.

Our goal isn’t to tell you who to vote for. It’s to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.

Connect with Shelby Kimball:

• Kimballforohio.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Resources for this conversation:

We’ve included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.

1. Ohio Education Association: Ohio’s largest teachers union, representing teachers and education support professionals across the state. It bargains contracts, advocates on school funding and education policy at the Statehouse, and offers professional development for educators.
2. Teachers Unions Lift Salaries and School Spending, But Evidence on Student Achievement Is Mixed (The 74): A balanced look at the research. Studies generally agree that collective bargaining raises school spending, while findings on student outcomes are mixed.
3. National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias: A nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by ectodermal dysplasias, a group of rare genetic conditions that can affect the hair, teeth, nails, and sweat glands. It offers family resources, connects people with specialized care, and advocates for better access to treatment.

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Jerrad Christian, the Democratic candidate running to represent Ohio's 12th Congressional District, to talk about the issues that matter to Ohio families.

With rural, suburban, and urban communities side by side, District 12 represents so much of Ohio's diversity all in one place, and serving it means balancing very different needs. We dig into how Jerrad's priorities, from public school funding to AI to agriculture, would reach every corner of the district, including his case for single-payer health care.

Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.

Resources for this conversation:

We've included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.

1. GI Bill Benefits (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs): An overview of the education and training benefits available to veterans, service members, and their families.
2. AcreTrader: An online platform that lets investors buy shares of U.S. farmland, part of a growing trend of investor ownership in agriculture.
3. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Congress.gov) and House Vote Record: The $1.2 trillion 2021 law funding roads, bridges, broadband, and water systems. Thirteen House Republicans voted for it, and the vote record shows how each Ohio member voted.
4. Court Rules No Constitutional Right to Clean Water (AllSides): Coverage from across the spectrum of a September 2026 ruling. In a 10 to 5 vote, the full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found no clearly established constitutional right to clean drinking water, and no constitutional duty for officials to share accurate water quality information. Residents can still pursue claims under state law or federal statutes like the Safe Drinking Water Act.
5. Surveillance Pricing Update (Federal Trade Commission): The FTC's look at "surveillance pricing," where companies use personal data to set individualized prices. Unlike dynamic pricing, which responds to supply and demand, this can mean different customers pay different prices for the same purchase at the same time.
6. Citizens United v. FEC and SpeechNow.org v. FEC (Federal Election Commission): The two 2010 court decisions that allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations and unions and paved the way for super PACs.

Connect with Jerrad Christian:

• Christianforohio.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Daquan Neal, the Democratic candidate running to represent Ohio House District 39 in Montgomery County, to talk about the issues that matter to Ohio families.

We dig into his priorities for the state, including a livable wage, universal free school lunch, and how tax policy affects working families. Daquan brings high energy to every part of this conversation, and he makes a different kind of ask: he's asking you to share his platform more than your wallet. 

Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.

Connect with Daquan:

• Daquanforstaterep.org
• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok



Resources for this conversation:

We've included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.

1. Ohio Income Tax Rates (Ohio Department of Taxation): Ohio's official tax rate tables. Under the state budget signed in June 2025, Ohio moved to a flat income tax in 2026: no state income tax on the first $26,050, and a single 2.75% rate on income above that.
2. Analysis of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Policy Center): A nonpartisan breakdown of the 2017 federal tax law. It found the law cut taxes on average for all income groups, with the largest cuts as a share of income going to higher-income households.
3. Head Start Center Locator (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services): Find Head Start and Early Head Start programs near you. These federally funded programs offer free early learning, health, and family support services for eligible children from birth to age 5.
4. Living Wage Calculator: Ohio (MIT): Estimates what it actually costs to support a household in Ohio, by county and family size, compared to minimum wage.

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at americanmotherhood.com.

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Noah Spinner, the Democratic candidate running to represent Ohio House District 31 in Summit County, to talk about the issues that matter to Ohio families.

We dig into his priorities for the state, including healthcare, public schools, and bringing affordability back to working families. Noah also shares how his own personal journey has shaped his perspective, leadership, and his decision to once again pursue elected office. 

Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at americanmotherhood.com.

Connect with Noah Spinner:

• Spinnerforohio.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Don Kissick, the Libertarian candidate for Ohio governor, for a thoughtful and respectful discussion of his vision for the state.

We dig into what limited government would really look like for families, including his belief that a robust economy would allow communities to rely on private charity rather than government programs. We also talk about where he stands on immigration and why the Fourth Amendment's protections for our homes and personal property matter more than ever. It's a candid look at personal liberty and the role of government in our everyday lives.

Whether you're familiar with Libertarian ideas or hearing them for the first time, there's plenty here to think about. Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at americanmotherhood.com.

Resources for this conversation:

We've included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.

• The Fourth Amendment, which guarantees people the right to be secure in their homes and their effects.
• Learn more about the Libertarian Party: Welcome to the Libertarian Party

Connect with Don Kissick:

• Instagram: @donkissick
• TikTok: @don.kissick
• X: @DonCKissick
• Facebook: @DonKissickLiberty

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Judge Marilyn Zayas, who's running for one of two seats on the Ohio Supreme Court.

We cover how the Ohio Supreme Court touches everyday family life, where the line falls between interpreting the law and making policy, setting aside personal opinion to follow the law, party labels on judicial ballots, and what the court can do when the legislature doesn't comply with its rulings. Above all, this is a conversation about making the court and judicial races more accessible and transparent for all Ohioans.

Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead.

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at americanmotherhood.com.

Resources for this conversation:

We've included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.

Want to learn more about the judicial candidates on your ballot?

1. VOTE411: The League of Women Voters' nonpartisan voter guide. Enter your address to see every race on your ballot, including judges, with candidates' answers in their own words.
2. Judicial Votes Count: Ohio's nonpartisan, statewide resource on judicial elections. It has candidate profiles with qualifications, endorsements, and reasons for running, plus explainers on how Ohio's courts work.
3. Judge4Yourself: Nonpartisan ratings of Ohio Supreme Court and Cuyahoga County judicial candidates from a coalition of bar associations. Candidates are rated from "Excellent" to "Not Recommended" based on integrity, knowledge, experience, diligence, and impartiality.



Want to understand the court's role in school funding and redistricting?

1. DeRolph v. State: School Funding Case (Ohio Legislative Service Commission): A nonpartisan legislative summary of Ohio's landmark school funding case. In 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled 4 to 3 that the state's funding system was unconstitutional. The court revisited the case several times over the following years before ending its involvement, but the underlying funding problems were never fully resolved.
2. Ohio Legislative District Maps Ruled Unconstitutional (Court News Ohio): The Ohio Supreme Court's own summary of its first 2022 redistricting ruling, including both the majority and dissenting views. From 2021 to 2022, the court struck down Ohio's state legislative maps five times and the congressional maps twice.
3. Ohio's EdChoice Voucher Case (Statehouse News Bureau): Coverage of the appeal of a 2025 lower court ruling that found Ohio's EdChoice private school voucher program unconstitutional. The case may reach the Ohio Supreme Court. The state argues vouchers are scholarships that give families more educational options, not state funding for private schools. 

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Rose Lounsbury, who's running to represent Ohio House District 36, to talk about the issues that matter to Ohio families.

We dig into her priorities for the state, including how she'd approach education funding, how to balance gun rights with public safety, and how to protect women's rights and everyone's access to affordable healthcare. We also get a sense of what kind of leader she'd be.

Gun safety remains a deeply personal issue for many Ohio families, especially in the wake of the August 4, 2019 mass shooting in Dayton. You can read the FBI's investigative report on the attack here for more context on what happened that day.

Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for, regardless of how you vote, we want you to hear directly from the candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they'd lead.

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Samantha Salamon, who is running to represent Ohio House District 35, to talk about the issues that matter most to Ohio families.

We cover the top concerns for families, including affordability, public education, property taxes, and how our legislature can create change for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. Above all, this is a conversation between two moms, appreciating the hard work of motherhood and recognizing that mothers are uniquely positioned to understand this world and make change for our kids.

Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they would lead.

Resources for this conversation:

We've included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.

Want to know how much your school district receives from the State of Ohio? The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce publishes state funding and financial data for every public school district.

1. District Profile Report (Cupp Report): the most user-friendly option, with revenue by source, expenditures, enrollment, and other financial data for individual districts.
2. Traditional District Payment Reports (Excel): raw payment data by fiscal year, select your report and find your district in the spreadsheet. FY2026 Final #1 is the most current final report available.

If you or someone you know needs support related to domestic violence or human trafficking:

1. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), available 24/7, or chat at thehotline.org.
2. Ohio Domestic Violence Network: resources and legal support for survivors across Ohio. odvn.org/resource-center
3. National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, text 233733, available 24/7 in over 200 languages. humantraffickinghotline.org
4. Ohio's Statewide Human Trafficking Hotline (844-END-OHHT / 844-363-6448): operated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, connects tips directly to local law enforcement and task forces.

Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.