Don Leonard
OH-15
Attacked tax breaks and handouts for Big Tech and data centers
But while politicians hand out tax breaks to data centers, the rest of us are left to worry about our water, our wildlife and our kids future.Facebook ad, August 19, 2026
Supported stronger oversight of data-center development
At the end of the day, what we need is a bill of rights as a nation for these data centers. That means specifying how far they have to be from our communities. That means making sure that they're not jacking up our electricity prices or putting us in a downward spiral of carbon emissions and climate crisis with the amount of power that they consume. And most of all, making sure that they actually give communities the opportunity to decide for themselves.WOSU interview, October 5, 2026
Data centers take our water and electricity and don't give anything back. Everyone deserves a community with clean air, clean water, and good public schools. Development should protect our water, strengthen the electric grid, create good local jobs, and earn the community’s trust.Campaign website, values page, retrieved October 31, 2026
That means making sure that they're not jacking up our electricity prices or putting us in a downward spiral of carbon emissions and climate crisis with the amount of power that they consume.Interview, WOSU, October 5, 2026
All thanks to Mike Carey and the data centers he bragged about bringing to central Ohio. I'm Don Leonard running for Congress and I'll say no to data centers in our communities.Video ad, September 15, 2026
I'm Don Leonard running for Congress and I'll say no to data centers in our communities.Video ad, September 15, 2026
You hear that? That's the sound of our electricity bills going up, our property values going down, and our water drying up. All thanks to Mike Carey and the data centers he bragged about bringing to central Ohio. I'm Don Leonard running for Congress and I'll say no to data centers in our communities.Video ad, September 15, 2026
Called for moratoria, pauses, or stopping new data-center projects
All thanks to Mike Carey and the data centers he bragged about bringing to central Ohio. I'm Don Leonard running for Congress and I'll say no to data centers in our communities.Video ad, September 15, 2026
I'm Don Leonard running for Congress and I'll say no to data centers in our communities.Video ad, September 15, 2026
You hear that? That's the sound of our electricity bills going up, our property values going down, and our water drying up. All thanks to Mike Carey and the data centers he bragged about bringing to central Ohio. I'm Don Leonard running for Congress and I'll say no to data centers in our communities.Video ad, September 15, 2026
Binding conditions on development
At the end of the day, what we need is a bill of rights as a nation for these data centers. That means specifying how far they have to be from our communities. That means making sure that they're not jacking up our electricity prices or putting us in a downward spiral of carbon emissions and climate crisis with the amount of power that they consume. And most of all, making sure that they actually give communities the opportunity to decide for themselves.WOSU interview, October 5, 2026
Developer responsibility for infrastructure and utility costs
That means making sure that they're not jacking up our electricity prices or putting us in a downward spiral of carbon emissions and climate crisis with the amount of power that they consume.Interview, WOSU, October 5, 2026
Enforceable water, energy, and community protections
At the end of the day, what we need is a bill of rights as a nation for these data centers. That means specifying how far they have to be from our communities. That means making sure that they're not jacking up our electricity prices or putting us in a downward spiral of carbon emissions and climate crisis with the amount of power that they consume. And most of all, making sure that they actually give communities the opportunity to decide for themselves.WOSU interview, October 5, 2026
Data centers take our water and electricity and don't give anything back. Everyone deserves a community with clean air, clean water, and good public schools. Development should protect our water, strengthen the electric grid, create good local jobs, and earn the community’s trust.Campaign website, values page, retrieved October 31, 2026
Supported reining in or regulating Big Tech and AI companies
Rein in Big Tech and stop wasting billions on foreign wars.Facebook post, October 8, 2026
Called for big structural changes that expand public coverage or Medicare benefits: Medicare for All, a public option, a Medicare buy-in, lowering the Medicare age such as Medicare at 55, or dental, vision, and/or hearing in Medicare
you ought to have a very high quality, very affordable for your household income public health insurance option.Video, September 15, 2026
We must cut the out-of-pocket cost of private health insurance in half while at the same time ensuring that all Americans have access to a public option for their health insurance.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 19, 2026
Called to reverse the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, or ACA coverage
These cuts threaten not just the financial health of rural hospitals in my district. 47% of the kids in Ohio's 15th congressional district get their health care from Medicaid. We have got to restore that funding on day one.Interview, United SHE Stands, February 3, 2026
Creating a public option
you ought to have a very high quality, very affordable for your household income public health insurance option.Video, September 15, 2026
We must cut the out-of-pocket cost of private health insurance in half while at the same time ensuring that all Americans have access to a public option for their health insurance.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 19, 2026
Called for higher taxes on billionaires and the wealthy
corporations in America's topest of top top earners, the billionaire class, have not been paying their fair share. They have profited so much from this amazing economy that we have all helped build. It is time to ask them to pay their fair share.Video, September 15, 2026
Called for corporations to pay more in taxes
corporations in America's topest of top top earners, the billionaire class, have not been paying their fair share. They have profited so much from this amazing economy that we have all helped build. It is time to ask them to pay their fair share.Video, September 15, 2026
Called for stronger competition and limits on monopoly power
The idea that congressional stock trading and mergers and acquisitions shouldn't be allowed to form monopolies that undermine the competition within the free market.Six One Forward podcast, October 8, 2026
the need to prevent corporations from colluding with one another to fix high pricesTown hall, Indivisible Central Ohio, June 4, 2026
Called for campaign-finance reform to reduce big money's influence
I don't think we should have to raise $250,000 by the end of the month to compete, but until we overturn Citizens United and get corruption out of politics, this is the game.Campaign Meta ad, June 23, 2026
What we need to do is pass a 28th amendment in the year 2028 to get the corporate money and the foreign lobby money out of our politics.WOSU interview, October 5, 2026
Democracy should mean one person, one vote. Not one dollar, one vote. We must rebuild the firewall that separates wealth from power.Campaign website, values page, retrieved October 31, 2026
Called to overturn Citizens United
I don't think we should have to raise $250,000 by the end of the month to compete, but until we overturn Citizens United and get corruption out of politics, this is the game.Campaign Meta ad, June 23, 2026
Refused corporate PAC money
I don't take a dime of corporate PAC money. Never have. Never will.Campaign Meta ad, September 15, 2026
I don't take corporate PAC money.Campaign Meta ad, October 20, 2026
I won't take a dime of corporate money.Video ad, September 9, 2026
Our campaign doesn't take corporate PAC money. Not now, not ever.Campaign Meta ad, August 17, 2026
Called for banning stock trading by members of Congress
So I am a staunch opponent to congressional stock trading and I believe that anyone who's willing to take time away from their jobs to go serve the public has a responsibility to eliminate any potential for conflicts of interest.WOSU interview, October 5, 2026
Supported stronger conflict-of-interest and ethics rules
Strengthening ethics, transparency, and accountability laws for public officialsJoint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
Reforming the Supreme Court
requiring an ethical code of conduct for the US Supreme CourtJoint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
Signed the October 26, 2026 joint letter calling for a Supreme Court ethics code.
Require an ethical code of conduct for the US Supreme Court.Joint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
Called for a Supreme Court ethics code or enforceable ethics rules
Signed the October 26, 2026 joint letter calling for a Supreme Court ethics code.
Require an ethical code of conduct for the US Supreme Court.Joint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
Called for reversing tariffs that raise household costs
we also see how Trump's trade wars with our allies and his real war in Iran has done nothing but drive up prices for working families here in Ohio so we have got to shut that downABC6 candidate Q&A, October 26, 2026
Called for stopping price gouging
the need to prevent corporations from colluding with one another to fix high pricesTown hall, Indivisible Central Ohio, June 4, 2026
Called for making child care more affordable
Supporting life means fighting for universal healthcare, affordable childcare, paid family leave, and support for those who care for an aging parent or a disabled loved one.Campaign website, values page, retrieved October 31, 2026
for families that want to take their kids to a private daycare center, the state of New Mexico is pioneering so many exciting programs. One of which being that no family should have to pay more than 7% of of their monthly income on daycare.Video, September 15, 2026
Childcare should not cost families a second mortgage. Expand head start and provide subsidies for private care.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 19, 2026
I'm fighting to make the big stuff more affordable. Healthcare, housing, childcare.Video ad, April 11, 2026
Blamed high gas and fuel prices on the Iran war, tariffs, or oil companies
this idiotic war in Iran, which has done nothing but drive up gas prices and leave Americans feeling even more vulnerable.Podcast interview, Six One Forward, October 8, 2026
Named policies to lower child-care costs: universal child care, public funding or subsidies, or caps on family costs
Childcare should not cost families a second mortgage. Expand head start and provide subsidies for private care.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 19, 2026
Public funding, subsidies, or child-care tax credits
Childcare should not cost families a second mortgage. Expand head start and provide subsidies for private care.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 19, 2026
Challenged Schumer's or Jeffries' leadership
What I believe is that the Democratic Party has got to fundamentally reinvent itself for the 21st Century. And if Speaker Jeffries is unable to do that, he will not have my vote.WOSU interview, October 5, 2026
Criticized Democratic leaders for failing to stand with working people
we're not only going to stand up to the bullies on the Republican side, we're going to stand up to those folks in our own leadership who've been willing to cut blue collar folks in the heartland loose, hoping we pick up more votes in the uh in the suburbs and out in the coast.Candidate forum, PFLAG Columbus, September 8, 2026
Criticized Democratic leaders' ties to wealthy donors or corporations
there are these corporate Democrats in Washington who just absolutely are bankrolled by the same people thatVideo, April 8, 2026
Supported raising the minimum wage
From Leonard's campaign platform:
To do this, I will fight to triple the federal minimum wage of $7.25.Don Leonard for US Congress campaign site, Wayback capture, captured May 6, 2026
Supported expanding paid leave or paid time off
Supporting life means fighting for universal healthcare, affordable childcare, paid family leave, and support for those who care for an aging parent or a disabled loved one.Campaign website, values page, retrieved October 31, 2026
Called for making housing more affordable
While Wall Street investors buy up homes and working Ohioans get priced out, Carey keeps siding with the wealthy. I believe one job should be enough to own a home. That means building more affordable starter homes, taking on corporate investors, and making homeownership possible for the next generation.Facebook post, October 28, 2026
Every working family should be able to afford to buy a home. That begins with a 21st century GI Bill for starter home construction.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 19, 2026
I'm fighting to make the big stuff more affordable. Healthcare, housing, childcare.Video ad, April 11, 2026
Called for restricting corporate, private equity, and hedge fund purchases of homes
While Wall Street investors buy up homes and working Ohioans get priced out, Carey keeps siding with the wealthy. I believe one job should be enough to own a home. That means building more affordable starter homes, taking on corporate investors, and making homeownership possible for the next generation.Facebook post, October 28, 2026
Homeownership assistance
Every working family should be able to afford to buy a home. That begins with a 21st century GI Bill for starter home construction.Ballotpedia candidate survey, February 19, 2026
Called out Wall Street, big banks, or private equity
We find that working families are struggling just to try to make it to the end of the month, at a time when Wall Street shareholders have never been more wealthy.Interview, ABC6, October 26, 2026
Supported protecting or expanding abortion access
I am absolutely and irrevocably for keeping the decision uh to bring a child to term, especially in that first trimester. Uh keeping that between the woman, her doctor, and her creator.Candidate interview
Expanding clean energy
I also support legislation that promotes renewable energy usage and passive cooling technologies that reduce the impact on the natural world.Columbus Dispatch candidate questionnaire
Supported stronger rights and safeguards in immigration enforcement
We establish an independent commission to pursue all the investigatory pathways to acquire the documentation to subpoena the elected officials and the appointed officials who have been responsible for alleged acts of violation of their constitutional oaths, including due process. That's the one that's most interesting to me right now in the form of ICE and what they've done on the streets of America.Don Leonard podcast interview
Stronger enforcement accountability
We establish an independent commission to pursue all the investigatory pathways to acquire the documentation to subpoena the elected officials and the appointed officials who have been responsible for alleged acts of violation of their constitutional oaths, including due process. That's the one that's most interesting to me right now in the form of ICE and what they've done on the streets of America.Don Leonard podcast interview
Supporting a path to citizenship
Let's get them that pathway to citizenshipCandidate interview
Abolishing or replacing ICE
They have turned a federal enforcement agency into the president's secret police, deploying in cities to harass populations at his whim. And we have got to replace ICE completely with the kind of humane law enforcement that treats nonviolent offenders of our immigration laws with the kinds of nonviolent responses that that requires.WOSU interview, October 5, 2026
I stood up to shut ICE down, to teach my daughter that when you see something wrong, you do something.Video ad, April 24, 2026
Supported stronger checks on executive power
It is a responsibility of the Congress, and not the president, to set our nation's tariff rates. And I think for decades now, we have allowed this steady creep of executive authority consuming more and more of the responsibilities of Congress. And as part of this new politics, we have got to send politicians to Washington on both sides that are willing to stand up to the president.WOSU interview, October 5, 2026
Banning partisan gerrymandering
Ending partisan gerrymanderingJoint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
Supported strengthening voting rights
protecting the right to voteJoint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
Opposed war with Iran or called for ending it
we also see how Trump's trade wars with our allies and his real war in Iran has done nothing but drive up prices for working families here in Ohio so we have got to shut that downABC6 candidate Q&A, October 26, 2026
Called for conditions on or limits to military aid or arms transfers to Israel
Leonard calls for withholding offensive equipment until the cited acts in Gaza and the West Bank cease, while supporting Israeli defense and possible missile-defense assistance.
And that includes withholding uh offensive military equipment to Israel until such time as they suspend these horrific acts not just in the uh in Gaza, but the increasing, you know, the state is supporting or even uh condoning militias in the West Bank, right?Candidate interview
Called for a specific diplomatic step or civilian protections
Leonard calls for withholding offensive equipment until the cited acts in Gaza and the West Bank cease, while supporting Israeli defense and possible missile-defense assistance.
And that includes withholding uh offensive military equipment to Israel until such time as they suspend these horrific acts not just in the uh in Gaza, but the increasing, you know, the state is supporting or even uh condoning militias in the West Bank, right?Candidate interview
Specified legal, humanitarian, or government conditions on military aid or arms transfers to Israel
Leonard calls for withholding offensive equipment until the cited acts in Gaza and the West Bank cease, while supporting Israeli defense and possible missile-defense assistance.
And that includes withholding uh offensive military equipment to Israel until such time as they suspend these horrific acts not just in the uh in Gaza, but the increasing, you know, the state is supporting or even uh condoning militias in the West Bank, right?Candidate interview
Called for stopping or phasing out offensive weapons transfers or specific arms sales to Israel
Leonard calls for withholding offensive equipment until the cited acts in Gaza and the West Bank cease, while supporting Israeli defense and possible missile-defense assistance.
And that includes withholding uh offensive military equipment to Israel until such time as they suspend these horrific acts not just in the uh in Gaza, but the increasing, you know, the state is supporting or even uh condoning militias in the West Bank, right?Candidate interview