Paula Hicks-Hudson
Candidate for State Senator, 11th District, Full term commencing 1/1/2027
Background
- Occupation
- State senator; attorney
- Lives in
- Toledo
State senator for District 11 and a former mayor of Toledo, the city's first Black female mayor; a lawyer whose work has centered on juvenile justice.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Opposed the Senate's five-bill property tax package in 2025.In office
ReportHicks-Hudson Condemns Property Tax LegislationGovernment record · Ohio Senate · Nov 19, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov
“arguing they represent a patchwork approach that fails to provide a comprehensive or sustainable fix”
Public safety
Sponsored tougher penalties for not reporting lost or stolen guns.In office
Senate Bill 75, with Sen. Catherine Ingram.
ReportIngram, Hicks-Hudson Testify on Legislation to Increase Penalty for Failure to Report a Lost or Stolen FirearmsGovernment record · Ohio Senate · Feb 11, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov
“Guns that are stolen most often make their way into the hands of people who may be prohibited from having guns”
Supports a task force on missing women of color.In office
Senate Bill 178.
ReportHicks-Hudson Calls for Creation of Task Force on Missing Women and GirlsGovernment record · Ohio Senate · Jun 11, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov
“which would create a task force on missing women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color”
Economy & jobs
Supports the Urban Farmer Youth Initiative in Senate Bill 120.In office
ReportHicks-Hudson Applauds Passage of Legislation to Establish Urban Farmer Youth Initiative Pilot ProgramGovernment record · Ohio Senate · Jun 3, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov
“legislation to codify the Urban Farmer Youth Initiative Program into law”
Environment & parks
Sponsored a ban on spreading oil-field brine on roads.In office
Senate Bill 329, with Sen. Kent Smith.
ReportHicks-Hudson, Smith Testify on Bill to Prohibit Radioactive Brine from Being Spread on Ohio RoadsGovernment record · Ohio Senate · Feb 11, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov
“This bill will ensure Ohio's roads and waterways are free from radioactive brine.”
Health & human services
Opposed the SNAP administrative funding formula change in H.B. 730.In office
ReportHicks-Hudson Condemns SNAP Funding Changes in H.B. 730Government record · Ohio Senate · Mar 25, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov
“This distribution of SNAP funds for Ohio's counties is not only inequitable, but also short-sighted”
Government & transparency
Voted against ending the grace period for mailed absentee ballots.In office
Senate Bill 293 (2025).
ReportHicks-Hudson Condemns Voter Suppression BillGovernment record · Ohio Senate · Nov 5, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov
“voted against Senate Bill 293, a bill that eliminates the grace period for mail-in ballots to be received”
Courts & justice
Introduced a juvenile justice bill from a state working group.In office
Senate Bill 270, with Sen. Nathan Manning, implements the Governor's Juvenile Justice Working Group recommendations.
ReportHicks-Hudson, Manning Introduce Juvenile Justice BillGovernment record · Ohio Senate · Sep 24, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov
“which will implement recommendations presented in the July 2024 report”
All sources (12)
- Lucas County Board of Elections Candidates List, General Election - November 3, 2026
Election filing · Lucas County Board of Elections · Sep 11, 2026 · drive.google.com
- Ballot Display - Lucas: 11/3/2026 General Election sample ballots
Election filing · Lucas County Board of Elections · lookup.boe.ohio.gov
- Lucas County Board of Elections: November 3, 2026 General Election ballots (ballot display)
Election filing · Lucas County Board of Elections · lookup.boe.ohio.gov
- Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson: Biography
Government record · Ohio Senate · ohiosenate.gov
- Hicks-Hudson, Manning Introduce Juvenile Justice Bill
Government record · Ohio Senate · Sep 24, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov
- Hicks-Hudson, Smith Testify on Bill to Prohibit Radioactive Brine from Being Spread on Ohio Roads
Government record · Ohio Senate · Feb 11, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov
- Ingram, Hicks-Hudson Testify on Legislation to Increase Penalty for Failure to Report a Lost or Stolen Firearms
Government record · Ohio Senate · Feb 11, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov
- Hicks-Hudson Condemns Voter Suppression Bill
Government record · Ohio Senate · Nov 5, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov
- Hicks-Hudson Condemns SNAP Funding Changes in H.B. 730
Government record · Ohio Senate · Mar 25, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov
- Hicks-Hudson Condemns Property Tax Legislation
Government record · Ohio Senate · Nov 19, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov
- Hicks-Hudson Calls for Creation of Task Force on Missing Women and Girls
Government record · Ohio Senate · Jun 11, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov
- Hicks-Hudson Applauds Passage of Legislation to Establish Urban Farmer Youth Initiative Pilot Program
Government record · Ohio Senate · Jun 3, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov
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.