Kathy McLeish
Candidate for Licking County Commissioner, Full term commencing 1/1/2027
Background
- Occupation
- Retired educator and nonprofit director
- Lives in
- Newark
Has 20 years of experience in public education, including administration at River View Local School District, and was regional director for the Child Care Resource Network and director of the Licking County Children and Families First Council. This is her first run for public office.
Documented positions
Housing
Pledges to address rising costs, homelessness and housing
ReportCounty commissioner hopefuls McLeish, Van Buren set sights on November (Newark Advocate, May 12, 2026)News coverage · Newark Advocate · yahoo.com
“rising costs, homelessness and housing are some of many issues Licking County faces and which she would seek to address in the role”
Economy & jobs
Supports data centers paying for power grid costs
ReportQuestions about data centers in Licking County swirl ahead of November election (The Reporting Project, Sept. 15, 2026)News coverage · The Reporting Project (Denison University) · thereportingproject.org
“if they pay for the power grid that has to be run to do that”
Roads & infrastructure
Proposes making data centers pay for road damage
ReportQuestions about data centers in Licking County swirl ahead of November election (The Reporting Project, Sept. 15, 2026)News coverage · The Reporting Project (Denison University) · thereportingproject.org
“They have to pay for the roads that they’re destroying.”
Environment & parks
Proposes independent EPA study of data centers' long-term damage
ReportQuestions about data centers in Licking County swirl ahead of November election (The Reporting Project, Sept. 15, 2026)News coverage · The Reporting Project (Denison University) · thereportingproject.org
“They have to pay an independent EPA to find out what the long-term damage is going to be.”
Government & transparency
Proposes rules for data centers that refuse community benefits
ReportQuestions about data centers in Licking County swirl ahead of November election (The Reporting Project, Sept. 15, 2026)News coverage · The Reporting Project (Denison University) · thereportingproject.org
“then you start to put some rules in place”
Supports resident input through the Licking County Forward plan
ReportQuestions about data centers in Licking County swirl ahead of November election (The Reporting Project, Sept. 15, 2026)News coverage · The Reporting Project (Denison University) · thereportingproject.org
“residents should give their input on a website called Licking County Forward”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Kathy McLeish on them.
- Taxes & budgetNo documented position found.
- Public safetyNo documented position found.
All sources (4)
- Certified Candidates, November 3, 2026 General Election — All Candidates Including Write-Ins (8/28/2026)
Election filing · Licking County Board of Elections · boe.ohio.gov
- Ballot Display — 11/3/2026 General Election sample ballots by precinct, Licking County, Ohio
Election filing · Licking County Board of Elections · lookup.boe.ohio.gov
- Questions about data centers in Licking County swirl ahead of November election (The Reporting Project, Sept. 15, 2026)
News coverage · The Reporting Project (Denison University) · thereportingproject.org
- County commissioner hopefuls McLeish, Van Buren set sights on November (Newark Advocate, May 12, 2026)
News coverage · Newark Advocate · yahoo.com
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.