Kristin is a proven leader in Ohio’s legislature, and we are excited to endorse her. We know from her time serving in Ohio’s House of Representatives she is a committed advocate and will work hard to ensure equality, parity, and that women in Ohio thrive and prosper.

In 2019, Kristin continued her work as an Ohio State Representative for District 18.

House District 18 includes the Grandview Heights, Columbus and Bexley 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?

Lame-duck session of 2014 was marked with the consideration and passage of some of the worst bills Ohio had ever seen.  From the attacks on women’s access to reproductive care to allowing guns everywhere, I felt incredibly frustrated and angry that the state legislature was enacting laws that I believed would take Ohio backwards.  At the same time, I began to realize how few women were serving in the Statehouse—and of those few women, even fewer were young women with student loan debt and families.  After lame duck, my predecessor surprised everyone by announcing that he would not seek his last term. Prior to his announcement I never considered running for office, but given my recent “awakening,” I started talking to people about the possibility of running for this seat.  It took months before I made the final decision to run, but talking to people around the district made me realize how much I wanted the opportunity to serve, and to be a voice for progressives, young people, and women.

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

My older sister, Kelly, has supported my goals my entire life.  As a fellow lawyer, she coached me through law school, held my hand through the bar exam, and helped me land my first job. She has been a constant source of support as she continues to help me navigate politics, and parenthood, and all things in life!

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?

Working as an assistant Attorney General provided me the opportunity to see up close how law and policy intersect with people’s daily lives.  Whether it was a civil matter dealing with a state agency, or a criminal justice matter involving a victim, I had the opportunity to appreciate the benefits of good laws and the consequences of bad laws. 

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 my daughter will be 12 years old.  At some point, I believe parents begin to see the world through the eyes of their children. It is my hope that in 2028 she will see Ohio as a place where she feels, as a woman, she can realize all of her dreams. This is why for every piece of legislation or policy I consider, I ask myself: will this make Ohio the kind of state a young person will want to stay in or move to?

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

1. Making higher education more affordable.
2. Increasing workforce enhancement policies such as paid family leave or equal pay for equal work.

Tell us something personal about yourself.

After graduating from college, I volunteered to join Americorps NCCC, and worked on several projects throughout the year. One project required us to camp in Sedona, AZ at the Coconino National Forest for eight weeks without electricity or plumbing. There we built a trail to the Honaki Indian ruins by pulling out brush and grading a pathway. We also had the opportunity to work at a food bank during the Salt Lake City winter Olympics, and build houses on the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington. It was the most physically demanding work I’ve done, but an incredible opportunity to meet great people and live in some interesting places!