Leonard defeats Rep. Carey in Ohio 15th District race

Don Leonard won the race for Ohio’s 15th Congressional District on Tuesday evening, ending a two-decade streak of Republican victories in the area. The Associated Press projected the victory for the Democrat, who defeated incumbent Mike Carey in a race the Cook Political Report had rated as a lean Republican hold.

Unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State’s website showed Leonard ahead with 52% of the vote as of 10:49 p.m. Tuesday. Carey held 45% of the vote at that time, with 85% of precincts reporting. Libertarian candidate Brennan Barrington received less than 3% of the total.

Leonard is a former Ohio State University professor residing in Columbus’s Hilltop neighborhood. He entered the race after defeating Democrat Adam Miller in the May primary. Miller had previously withdrawn from the race following his arrest at a No Kings protest in Grove City. This victory marks Leonard’s first full term in Congress.

The 15th District covers all of Fayette, Highland, and Madison counties, along with parts of Clark, Pickaway, Miami, and southwestern Franklin counties. The district map was redrawn in both 2022 and 2026. Despite these changes, the area had consistently voted for Republican candidates in the last 20 years.

Leonard held his election night watch party in Hilliard. In a statement, he said voters trusted him to stand up against outside spending. He noted that Republicans tried to defend a seat they won by double digits just two years prior. "The voters of this district didn’t fall for the scare tactics," Leonard said. He added that he chose to make it clear that the community deserves a representative who will help take government back and make the economy work.

Leonard said he wants to rebuild trust in the district. "I will always make sure our community is heard in Washington," he said. He expressed gratitude to every voter, volunteer, and supporter who helped achieve the win.

Rep. Mike Carey, a former coal lobbyist who lives in German Village, was first elected in a special election in 2021. He took office after Steve Stivers left to lead the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Carey posted on Facebook that he was disappointed in the results but proud of his work in office. He described 2026 as a challenge unlike any other seen in the state. Carey wished Leonard well and offered to lend advice in serving the district.