The Gist
Home

State

State Senator, 21st 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 part of Cuyahoga County: part of Cleveland and the East Side suburbs of Beachwood, Bedford, Bedford Heights, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Highland Hills, Lyndhurst, Maple Heights, North Randall, Orange, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, University Heights, Warrensville Heights and Woodmere.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Mikhail Alterman

Republican

Information technology professional

The gist

  • Supports school choice.
More about Mikhail
View sources (1)

  1. Supports school choice.

    Mikhail Alterman for Ohio Senate District 21

    Campaign website · Mikhail Alterman campaign · altermanprojects.com

    “Mikhail Alterman focuses on Lower Cost of Living and School Choice”
Photo of Kent Smith
Kent SmithOfficial portrait — Ohio Senate

Kent Smith

DemocraticIncumbent

State senator · Euclid

The gist

  • Supports repealing the data center sales tax exemption.In office
  • Co-sponsored a ban on bump stocks and trigger cranks.In office
  • Sponsored bills barring utilities from billing customers for political activity.In office
  • Co-sponsored a ban on spreading oil-field brine on roads.In office
  • Opposed Senate Bill 172 expanding state immigration enforcement.In office
  • Opposed creating a state Election Integrity Unit.In office

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

More about Kent
View sources (6)

  1. Supports repealing the data center sales tax exemption.

    Smith Calls for Immediate Termination of Data Center Tax Break

    Government record · Ohio Senate · May 21, 2026 · ohiosenate.gov

    “Senator Blessing and I have been attempting to repeal the data center sales tax break since December 2024.”

  2. Co-sponsored a ban on bump stocks and trigger cranks.

    Smith, Craig Testify on Gun Safety Legislation

    Government record · Ohio Senate · Nov 6, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov

    “which would ban the sale and use of devices that accelerate a firearm's rate of fire”

  3. Sponsored bills barring utilities from billing customers for political activity.

    Smith Testifies on Legislation to Expand Utility Reforms, Protect Consumers

    Government record · Ohio Senate · Nov 5, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov

    “Utility customers should not be forced to pay for political activity with which they may not agree.”

  4. Co-sponsored a ban on spreading oil-field brine on roads.

    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

    “gave sponsor testimony supporting Senate Bill 329”

  5. Opposed Senate Bill 172 expanding state immigration enforcement.

    Smith Condemns Anti-Immigrant Bill

    Government record · Ohio Senate · Jun 18, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov

    “This bill is a needless attack on individual liberties”

  6. Opposed creating a state Election Integrity Unit.

    Smith Condemns Election Overreach Bill

    Government record · Ohio Senate · Jun 18, 2025 · ohiosenate.gov

    “establishing a partisan Election Integrity Unit under the Secretary of State”

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.