United SHE Stands

OHIO! IT’S TIME TO VOTE (early if possible 🥰)! In episode 205, we break down everything on your Ohio ballot, from Governor and the Senate special election to your U.S. House district, the statehouse, Issue 3, and Columbus Issues 8 and 9. Let’s get after it! 🗳️ 🌊‼️ We’re going LIVE on Substack on Election Night (Tuesday, November 3rd) at 8:15 PM ET to talk election results with special guests. Join the conversation HERE ‼️Resources: * Our Sway Voter Guide* Ohio Sample Ballot* Ohio Democratic Party - 2026 Candidates* VoteOhio.gov* Our City Our Say (Issue 8 - Vote YES)* U.S. House of Representatives Races (Ohio)* Picture This: Issue 3 Puts Strict Photo ID on the Ballot (ACLU Ohio)We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 204, our candidate interview marathon wraps up with Ohio House candidates Samantha Salamon (HD-35) and Mason Blankenship (HD-68). EARLY VOTING IS OPEN NOW - GO VOTE, OHIO!Samantha Salamon is running for Ohio House District 35, which encompasses Northern Summit County and parts of Geauga and Portage Counties. This district plays a critical role in breaking the Republican held supermajority in the Ohio Statehouse. When Amy Acton is elected governor, she will need a legislature that won’t overrule every decision she makes. Breaking the supermajority requires flipping six seats in the Ohio House, and District 35 is among the most competitive opportunities to do so this year.Samantha is the Chief Counsel at Asian Services in Action, Inc. (ASIA), where she works and advocates for victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Samantha is deeply rooted in the community she seeks to represent and currently lives there with her husband and son.Samantha is a proven leader and a strong advocate for Ohioans. In the Statehouse, she will stand up against harmful legislation, fight to find practical solutions to the challenges facing Ohio families, and work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to build a dignified and fulfilling life in our state.Resources:* Samantha’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* FacebookMason Blankenship is running for Ohio House District 68, which includes a large portion of Licking county, including Granville, Pataskala, and parts of Newark. He is a native of Licking County, understands the challenges of balancing hard work, family responsibilities, and the feeling of being overlooked by state leadership. His candidacy aims to introduce a working-class perspective to the Statehouse, characterized by attentive listening, honesty, and a commitment to advocating for the residents of this community.Resources:* Mason’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* FacebookWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 203, we sit down with Ohio House candidates Jonathan Bradner (HD-29) and Dave Fournier (HD-44) to talk about what’s at stake for working families across the state. They cover everything from property taxes and school funding to corruption in Columbus, and share what’s keeping them hopeful heading into November.Jonathan Bradner running for State Representative in Ohio’s 29th District, which includes Northwest Hamilton county. He is a progressive pastor and advocate Raised in Northwest Ohio, he learned the value of community early. As a teenager, he earned a Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Later, while working through seminary, he advocated for and won fair wages for his fellow employees in the hospitality industry. Now a pastor and community leader, he brings real-world experience and leads with empathy and a commitment to dignity for all.Resources:* Jonathan’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* FacebookDavid Fournier is running for Ohio House District 44, which includes parts of Lucas, Ottawa, and Wood counties. He is a husband, dad and attorney. A lifelong Northwest Ohioan, he is committed to fighting for working families by lowering property taxes, fairly funding and strengthening public schools, and improving access to healthcare.Resources: * David’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* FacebookWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 202, Casey and Amanda Weinstein lay out what’s at stake in November and why Ohio voters shouldn’t outsource their vote.Public service is a family tradition for Casey and Amanda Weinstein. Casey’s grandfather, father, brother, and brother-in-law have all served in the armed forces, and so have Casey and Amanda themselves, who have called Hudson, Ohio, home while raising their three children, Nora, Emilia, and Brady.Casey is Ohio State Senator for the 28th district, which includes Hudson and parts of Akron . Wherever he was stationed, he made a point of engaging with his community. In Dayton, he was named a “Top 40 Under 40” Community Leader. As a member of the Leadership Hudson Class of 2014, he helped bring the Barlow Community Center Solar Training Center to Hudson, the first government-owned facility of its kind in the region. He served on Hudson City Council from 2015 to 2019, won his seat in the Ohio House of Representatives in 2018, and in 2024 won his bid to move up to the State Senate.Dr. Amanda Weinstein serves as an At-Large Councilmember for the City of Hudson. She is an economist, a veteran, and a mom. She served in the U.S. Air Force, where she programmed drone systems and advised top military leadership, and she went on to earn her Ph.D. in agricultural, environmental, and development economics at The Ohio State University. She has advised the Governor on tax policy and helped lead the Center on Rural Innovation’s work to revitalize small towns, focusing on modern infrastructure, small business growth, workforce development, and quality of life. In Hudson, she has been a Girl Scout troop leader and an advocate for the Hudson Inclusive Playground.Resources:* Ohio Rankings - U.S. News* Ohio Property Tax Rates by CountyWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 201, we sit down with three Southwest Ohio candidates for the Ohio House, Laalitya Acharya (HD-56), Caleb Price (HD-30), and Jordan Haire (HD-47), to talk about why they're running and what they want to change in Columbus.Laalitya Acharya is a biomedical engineer and candidate for State House District 56 (Mason, Lebanon & Deerfield Twp). She graduated at the top of her class from Mason High School) - and then received her Bachelors & Masters of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University. Through both high school and college, she volunteered for local STEM education centers, organized to increase education access, and supported student worker’s rights. She was even honored with the Gold Congressional Youth Award for her advocacy work. After completing graduate school, she moved home to the district that raised her where she has continued to advocate for public education, affordability and success for all Ohioans.Her goal is to create an Ohio that works for everyone. That means making sure our state legislature fully funds our schools without property tax hikes, pushing back on the data centers that are driving up our utility bills and ensuring every hardworking Ohioan has access to the healthcare that they need. All of this is possible and within the state government’s control – and that’s what she will fight for in the State House.* Laalitya’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* Bluesky* Facebook* X/TwitterCaleb Price is running for Ohio House District 30, which includes the west side of Cincinnati all the way to the Indiana border. He is a Cincinnati native and Cincinnati Public Schools graduate (Walnut Hills High School, ‘20). He graduated cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2023 and is finishing his master’s in Public Administration there online. Caleb has volunteered with the Special Olympics of Ohio & Kentucky and helped start H2O for Earth, a fundraiser for the Flint Water Crisis. He also worked with Cincinnati City Council to rename sections of Reading Road after President Barack Obama. A dues-paying member of IBEW Local 1220 from his time as a barista, he has worked jobs from busboy at Skyline Chili to cashier at Home Depot, and he says that experience shapes his focus on average workers and families. A member of Gen Z and a Green Township resident, Caleb says he brings fresh ideas and new life experiences to Columbus.* Caleb’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* Facebook* Threads* X/TwitterJordan Haire is running for Ohio House District 47, which lies entirely within Butler County containing many communities including Hamilton, Fairfield Township and Oxford. Jordan grew up in the Hamilton area, earned a BA from Marian University and Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at NKU. Running in her hometown HD 47, Jordan is a mom, wife, mental health counselor, small business owner, and native Ohioan that is ready to listen, understand, and advocate for her community by putting people first.* Jordan’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* FacebookWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

It's our 200th episode!!!! We're celebrating with a look back at everything we've done in 2026, some rapid-fire confessions from 200 episodes of this show, and what's coming next as we gear up for the midterms and look ahead to 2027.We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 199, we sit down with Daquan Neal, whose race for Ohio House District 39 is one of eight seats that could help break the Republican supermajority. We get into his affordability-first platform, his social media strategy, and what winning would mean for the district.Daquan Neal is running for Ohio House District 39, which includes the North Dayton area, like Huber Heights, and parts of Union, Englewood, Northridge, and Shiloh. ​As a young adult, Daquan faced one of the darkest periods imaginable. He battled severe depression, dropped out of college twice, and was diagnosed with Stage III kidney failure. Instead of giving up, he chose to fight for his health, his future, and his purpose. That fight transformed him into the leader he is today.​Daquan returned to school with renewed determination and graduated from Central State University, an Ohio HBCU. He earned dual degrees in Psychology and Political Science, with additional studies in Philosophy. He then worked in the Ohio Senate before transitioning to the Ohio House of Representatives, gaining experience in both chambers of the Ohio State government. He even worked as a legislative aide to create a direct pipeline from Central State University to the Ohio House of Representatives for Career and internship opportunities for students.Daquan continues to uplift young people as an instructor for the Certified Basic Automotive Maintenance Program at T-8 Auto Sales, helping teens and young adults gain hands-on skills, confidence, and career readiness.Resources:* Daquan’s Campaign Website* Social Media:* Instagram* TikTok* FacebookWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 198, Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General John Kulewicz joins us to explain what the AG actually does and make his case for why he should be the state’s next one.John Kulewicz grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He learned the values of hard work and independent judgment from his parents and grandparents, who came from Martins Ferry and Cincinnati, and saw firsthand the importance of good jobs and union membership to the economy of Ohio. John has spent his law career challenging conventional wisdom and taking on uphill battles. As a 44-year member of the Columbus-based law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, he successfully argued and won cases against the odds in the Supreme Court of the United States and courts throughout Ohio. He recently published a book, An Ohioan’s Odyssey: Lessons in Leadership, Law, and Public Service.In politics, Kulewicz has consistently defied expectations, most recently in his own two campaigns for Upper Arlington City Council, where he was the leading vote-getter both times. In his re-election effort, he won more votes than any UA City Council candidate in a contested election since adoption of the city charter seven decades ago.John earned his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. He earned his B.A. in American history from The Ohio State University.Outside of work, he is an accomplished long-distance swimmer and certified lifeguard. He lives with his wife Maryline in Upper Arlington where he has served on the City Council since 2020. He and Maryline are the proud parents of Adam and Abigail.Resources:* John’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* Facebook* X/TwitterWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 197, we sit down with two candidates fighting for rural Ohio’s future: Katie Koehler Wagner, running for Ohio House District 80, and Colton Stidam, running for House District 76. Both are pushing back on a statehouse they say has left working families and small communities behind.Katie Koehler Wagner is running for Ohio House District 80, which includes Troy, Piqua, and goes all the way west to the Indiana border. Katie is a 38-year-old mother, teacher, and lifelong advocate for doing what’s right. She and her husband are proud to raise their four children here, instilling in them the values of hard work and community service.Katie never had political ambitions. But she’s watched life get harder for her neighbors, students, and family while politicians fail to deliver real solutions. After listening to people across Miami and Darke counties, she heard the same frustrations again and again: decisions made behind closed doors, and local voices ignored.Staying on the sidelines felt like a betrayal of her values and her children’s future. So she turned to civic engagement, helping people understand how local and state decisions shape their lives — work that led to The Village, a Facebook community where neighbors share information, organize, and support each other.Now she wants to bring that voice to Columbus with H.O.P.E.: affordable and accessible Healthcare, Opportunities to prosper, good Public schools, and affordable Energy for homes and businesses.Katie Resources:* Katie Wagner for Ohio* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* FacebookColton Stidam is running for State Representative in Ohio’s 76th District, which includes parts of Richland county like Mansfield, Bellville, Shelby and the surrounding areas. Colton, 29, was born and raised in Shelby, Ohio, in a proud union family. Today, Colton works in IT for the Mansfield City School District alongside his wife, who is a science teacher in the district. They live in Mansfield.A strong advocate for his community, Colton has spent years volunteering with local organizations that provide food, resources, and support to underserved residents. He has also spearheaded community cleanup projects, working hands on to make his community a better place for everyone.Colton’s involvement in local politics began with the Shelby Area Democratic Club, where he became an active voice at community events and a well known presence at protests and demonstrations. He later joined the Richland County Young Democrats, where he was elected Vice President of Membership.Colton is running on a simple belief: Ohio should work for everyone, not just those at the top. He believes in fully funding our public schools, protecting and strengthening workers’ right to organize through their unions, and making everyday life more affordable for working families across Ohio.Colton Resources: * Stidam for State* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* Facebook* Ohio House Bill 810We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 196, we sit down with sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild to explore the pride, shame, and empathy at the heart of her book, Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right. We talk about her seven years in Appalachia and what that experience reveals about America’s political divide ahead of a pivotal midterm election.Hochschild is the author of many groundbreaking books, including The Second Shift, The Managed Heart, and The Time Bind as well as Strangers in Their Own Land, which became an instant bestseller and was a finalist for a National Book Award, and Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right (both from The New Press). She is professor emeritus of sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. She lives in Berkeley with her husband, the writer Adam Hochschild.Resources: * Buy Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right* In Kentucky’s coal country, a community is working to heal political divisions - PBS News* Other Books by Arlie Russell HochschildWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe