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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

Taxes & budget

  • Mikhail AltermanRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Kent SmithDemocratic

    • Supports repealing the data center sales tax exemption.In office

Public safety

  • Mikhail AltermanRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Kent SmithDemocratic

    • Co-sponsored a ban on bump stocks and trigger cranks.In office

Education

Environment & parks

  • Mikhail AltermanRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Kent SmithDemocratic

    • Co-sponsored a ban on spreading oil-field brine on roads.In office

Government & transparency

  • Mikhail AltermanRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Kent SmithDemocratic

    • Sponsored bills barring utilities from billing customers for political activity.In office
    • Opposed Senate Bill 172 expanding state immigration enforcement.In office
    • Opposed creating a state Election Integrity Unit.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.