State
State Senator, 17th District
Full term commencing 1/1/2027
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 4 years
- Candidates
- 2
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: A state senator is one of 33 members of the Ohio Senate, which writes and votes on state laws and the state budget and confirms many of the Governor's appointments.
Covers all of Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross and Vinton counties, and part of Perry County (Bearfield, Coal, Monday Creek, Monroe, Pike, Pleasant and Salt Lick townships).
Public safety
Brian A. DeerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Shane WilkinRepublican
- Opposed legalizing recreational marijuana in 2023 (Issue 2).In office
Education
Brian A. DeerDemocratic
- Supports funding schools through the Fair School Funding Plan.
Shane WilkinRepublican
- Sponsored equal cash and card prices for school sports tickets.In office
Economy & jobs
Brian A. DeerDemocratic
- Supports expanding collective bargaining rights.
- Supports small stores getting vendor prices closer to big chains'.
Shane WilkinRepublican
No documented position found.
Health & human services
Brian A. DeerDemocratic
- Supports protecting Medicare and Medicaid funding.
Shane WilkinRepublican
- Sponsored a bill regulating intoxicating hemp products.In office
- Voted to override the veto of House Bill 68.In office
- Opposed the 2023 abortion-rights constitutional amendment (Issue 1).In office
Government & transparency
Brian A. DeerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Shane WilkinRepublican
- Introduced a resolution backing Texas's border barriers.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; 5 issues covered in this race.