State

State Representative, 82nd District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 3
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.

All of Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert counties and most of Defiance County, including the city of Defiance and Hicksville.

Candidates Compare by issue

Maddux McCray

Democratic

Substitute teacher and tour guide · Van Wert

The gist

Opposes eliminating property taxes without a replacement.
Supports full transparency requirements for data center projects.
Supports collective bargaining rights.
Supports investing in broadband, public transit and passenger rail.
Proposes stronger laws against price gouging and fraud targeting seniors.

More about Maddux

View sources (1)

Opposes eliminating property taxes without a replacement.
Maddux McCray for Ohio House District 82
Campaign website · Maddux McCray campaign · madduxmccray.com
“Maddux supports greater transparency about how property tax dollars are spent and opposes outright elimination without a reliable replacement.”
Supports full transparency requirements for data center projects.
Maddux McCray for Ohio House District 82
Campaign website · Maddux McCray campaign · madduxmccray.com
“Data center projects should be fully transparent about their water, energy use, infrastructure costs, tax incentives, jobs, and impact on the community.”
Supports collective bargaining rights.
Maddux McCray for Ohio House District 82
Campaign website · Maddux McCray campaign · madduxmccray.com
“Working people deserve a voice on the job and the right to organize and collectively bargain.”
Supports investing in broadband, public transit and passenger rail.
Maddux McCray for Ohio House District 82
Campaign website · Maddux McCray campaign · madduxmccray.com
“improving roads, bridges, water systems, broadband, public transportation, and passenger rail”
Proposes stronger laws against price gouging and fraud targeting seniors.
Maddux McCray for Ohio House District 82
Campaign website · Maddux McCray campaign · madduxmccray.com
“Maddux will support and seek legislation to strengthen protections against price gouging, fraud, identity theft, and financial exploitation”

Christopher Elder

Libertarian

Family teacher, Marsh Foundation · Paulding

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Christopher

Roy W. Klopfenstein

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative; farmer · Haviland

The gist

Supports a proposed 90-day suspension of the state gas tax.In office
Introduced a ban on AI-generated child sexual abuse images.In office
Sponsored "Trey's Law" voiding abuse-silencing agreements (HB 723).In office
Introduced rules on broadband equipment in public spaces (HB 979).In office
Introduced opening rural health boards to PAs, nurse practitioners.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Roy

View sources (5)

Supports a proposed 90-day suspension of the state gas tax.
State Representatives Bob Peterson and Roy Klopfenstein Applaud Proposal to Suspend Gas Tax
Government record · Ohio House of Representatives · Sep 24, 2026 · ohiohouse.gov
“today expressed strong support for a proposed 90-day suspension of Ohio’s state gas tax”
Introduced a ban on AI-generated child sexual abuse images.
State Reps. Williams, Klopfenstein Introduce Legislation Combating AI Child Sexual Abuse Material
Government record · Ohio House of Representatives · Apr 8, 2026 · ohiohouse.gov
“they recently introduced House Bill 786 – legislation that works to combat AI Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)”
Sponsored "Trey's Law" voiding abuse-silencing agreements (HB 723).
Reps. Roy Klopfenstein, Melanie Miller Testify on "Trey's Law" in Committee
Government record · Ohio House of Representatives · May 22, 2026 · ohiohouse.gov
“House Bill 723 strengthens protections for victims of sexual abuse and ensures perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes.”
Introduced rules on broadband equipment in public spaces (HB 979).
Rep. Klopfenstein Introduces New Broadband Legislation
Government record · Ohio House of Representatives · Jul 29, 2026 · ohiohouse.gov
“recently introduced House Bill 979, which works to establish or clarify rules governing broadband providers’ use of public spaces in communities”
Introduced opening rural health boards to PAs, nurse practitioners.
State Reps. Hiner, Klopfenstein Introduce New Rural Healthcare Legislation
Government record · Ohio House of Representatives · Jul 14, 2026 · ohiohouse.gov
“legislation to revise the composition of some local boards of health, specifically in rural areas of Ohio”

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; 7 issues covered in this race.