State

State Representative, 68th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on Ohio laws and the state budget in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Part of Licking County: Newark, Pataskala, Granville, Hebron and Etna, Granville, Harrison, Jersey, Newark, St. Albans and most of Union townships. Licking County's sample ballots print the Democratic candidate's name as "Mason Blakenship"; the board's candidate filing record and his campaign spell it "Blankenship".

Candidates Compare by issue

Taxes & budget

Mason BlankenshipDemocratic
No documented position found.
Thad ClaggettRepublican
- Pledges to vote against tax increases.
- Voted for the 2025 property tax relief bills.In office

Public safety

Mason BlankenshipDemocratic
No documented position found.
Thad ClaggettRepublican
- Voted for tougher Move Over Law penalties (HB 132).In office

Education

Mason BlankenshipDemocratic
- Opposes using public funds for EdChoice private school vouchers.
- Opposes SB 1, the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act.
Thad ClaggettRepublican
- Supports state, local and parental control of education.

Economy & jobs

Mason BlankenshipDemocratic
- Pledges legislation to protect unions and combat wage theft.
Thad ClaggettRepublican
No documented position found.

Environment & parks

Mason BlankenshipDemocratic
- Opposes data centers that raise health or utility costs.
Thad ClaggettRepublican
No documented position found.

Health & human services

Mason BlankenshipDemocratic
- Supports SB 78, the Ohio Health Care Plan bill.
- Supports protecting Medicaid expansion and mental health funding.
- Opposes HB 754's fetal death register requirements.
Thad ClaggettRepublican
- Opposes abortion; supports Ohio's heartbeat law.
- Voted for the Medicaid fraud prevention package (SB 315).In office

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.