We are excited to endorse Allison Russo for Ohio State Representative – District 24. She is an example of the kind of woman we seek to endorse for political office in Ohio and believe she will work to help us achieve our mission of supporting an economy in which women can thrive and prosper.

“As a candidate for State Representative in Ohio’s 24th District, I stand on the shoulders of many strong women who have come before me. The example of my own mother— young, single, with just a GED, who worked hard to provide for us and eventually earned a PhD— taught me the importance of hard work, education, good health, and the understanding that when women succeed, everyone succeeds. I am honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of The Matriots. Their nonpartisan mission to elect female candidates and advance policies that elevate Ohio’s women and families transcends party lines and affirms the values I learned growing up. As a legislator, I commit to supporting this mission by fighting for strong public education, economic opportunity, and access to affordable healthcare.”
– Allison Russo

House District 24 includes the Upper Arlington, Worthington, Grove City and Columbus areas.  Click here to find elected officials in your district. 

Meet the Candidate

Can you tell our members a little bit about your journey to filing as a candidate?

For almost two decades, I’ve been working as an advisor to government leaders and policymakers on issues related to the financing and delivery of healthcare to seniors, vulnerable populations, and families. After the 2016 elections, I was very disheartened to see the gains made in healthcare, particularly for low-income Americans and those with pre-existing conditions, politicized to the point where elected officials were willing to not only inflict damage on those individuals, but also further undermine the health of children, individuals with disabilities, and seniors. There was no real discussion about finding common ground and compromise on an issue that is so important to families’ economic security and well-being, and I found that unacceptable. I began using my expertise to speak out and empower others to also speak out, and I was encouraged to run for office by several of those individuals. I decided to become a candidate when I recognized that we need more elected officials who bring real-life perspectives and expertise to the table and who are more focused on working for the best interests of the people they represent, not partisan politics.

Tell our members about a friend or family member who inspired you to become a leader.

I’ve had an unlikely path to politics. My mother married at 16, was 19 when I was born, and by the time she was 21, was raising two children on her own. My early childhood was spent in poverty, but my mother knew that pursuing her education would be a path to economic opportunity and middle-class life for her young family. In those early years, Mom did everything she had to do to pay the bills and put food on the table – cleaning office buildings, working in construction, and eventually becoming a secretary – all while also slowly taking classes at a local community college.
 
My mother exemplified the values of hard work and grit and taught me that, regardless of circumstances, everyone deserves dignity and is capable of success. My mother also held firmly to the belief that you should always be a champion and a voice for those who need it when you are in a position to do so. Mom eventually earned her college degree, and much later, her doctoral degree. She now works at one of the nation’s largest cancer centers developing recovery and advocacy programs for cancer patients and survivors.
 
My mother also just celebrated her sixth decade of life, and as a gift to herself, hiked for eight days though the Alps from Italy to Switzerland with nine other like-minded women.

Some of you are military veterans, some small business owners, some professionals, some mothers and grandmothers, some homemakers. How did one of these experiences shape who you are as a person and leader?

I am a former military spouse (my husband is a combat veteran), and I began my career working on issues impacting the health of military members and their families. As a result, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the finest leaders and people in this country. These are leaders who believe in selfless service and whose bias is always towards action. This unique early professional experience taught me two important lessons: 1) always speak truth to power even when you are the only dissenting voice in the room; and 2) you are only as good as the people you lead.

The Matriots PAC has a goal to see 50% of all elected offices in Ohio held by women by 2028. What is your vision for Ohio in 2028?

In 2028, I hope to see more elected officials who reflect the gender and racial make-up of the state and local communities. I also hope to see Ohio achieve national top-five status in education, health status, and economic security. Ohio has all the building blocks for this success, but we need elected leaders who understand the intersection of these issues and who have the vision and political will to get us refocused on the future.

Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” What are the top-two issues your community or our state face today?

• Ensuring we are properly investing in our public education system so that all of Ohio’s children have the best possible opportunities from preschool to high school and beyond.
• Investing in Ohio’s health and advancing innovative, evidence-based solutions that give every Ohioan a fair shot at affordable and accessible healthcare. 

Tell us something personal about yourself.

I love traveling with my family and even find great joy in the planning process. I’ve been known to research and plan a few trip itineraries “just for fun.” My husband and I have been very lucky to study, live, and work overseas, and as our family grows, being able to share our love of travel and different cultures with our kids has been one of our greatest blessings.