OHIO — The Working Families Party on Wednesday announced its endorsement of a slate of candidates and ballot measures across Ohio. The Party endorsed Bryan Hambley for Secretary of State; Adrian James Vitus for Congress in OH-06; Davida Russell for State Representative in HD-18; Charity Martin King for State Representative in HD-2; and the Columbus “Our City, Our Voice” ballot measure. 

“This slate of candidates from across Ohio will stand up against the corrupt federal administration and fight for working people,” said Aleena Starks, Ohio State Director for the Working Families Party. “At a time when the Trump administration is stripping benefits from workers and raising costs for everybody, we need leaders who will fight for us, not corporations or big businesses. The Working Families Party is proud to endorse this slate.” 

In the open race for Secretary of State, Bryan Hambley represents a new kind of candidate—one grounded in public service, not political careerism. As a physician, he’s spent his life navigating high-stakes systems where outcomes matter. That shows up in how he talks about the Secretary of State role: not just as an administrative office, but as a way to protect democracy, challenge harmful ballot language, and expand access for voters who’ve been shut out.

“I am honored to have earned the Working Families Party endorsement in this campaign,” said Bryan Hambley, candidate for Secretary of State. “The Working Families Party knows that Ohioans deserve better, and we can’t compromise on our core values. Together, we can end gerrymandering, reject the influence of corporate PAC money, and stand up to Trump’s attempts to attack our democracy.” 

Adrian Vitus is a born and raised Ohioan who will fight for the people of the sixth district. In Washington, he will push to lower prices and raise wages; tax the rich to fund critical investments in our communities; and make things like housing, childcare, and healthcare more affordable for working people. 

“We fight for working people because we are working people! That’s why I am incredibly proud to receive an official endorsement from the Ohio Working Families Party,” said Adrian Vitus, candidate for Ohio’s 6th congressional district. “It’s past time that our political system fights for our basic needs – jobs, wages, healthcare, childcare, education, and housing. No more bombs or billionaires, it’s time to build a future for the working majority. For us, this fight started generations ago in the steel mills of Youngstown, and we won’t stop until working people are in power to deliver better lives for us all. Thank you Ohio Working Families Party for your support, and back to work!”

Davida Russell and Charity Martin King are running in open primaries for House District 18 and House District 2, respectively. Russell is a Cleveland Heights City Councilmember and a former elected labor leader who will fight for working people in the state legislature. Martin King is a community activist and an entrepreneur who understands the value of economic mobility and affordability.

“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Working Families Party. When I win this race, I’ll continue to stand up for working people in the state legislature at every turn,” said Davida Russell, candidate for state representative in the 18th district.

“The endorsement from the Working Families Party is an incredible honor because it represents the SPIRIT of my life’s work. The organization supports people-centric leaders who bring experience and forward-thinking ideas,” said Charity Martin King, candidate for state representative in the 2nd district. 

The Ohio Working Families Party was also proud to endorse the “Our City, Our Say” ballot initiative in Columbus, which would change how city council members are elected to districts. Currently, even though council members must live in the districts they represent, they are elected in at-large, citywide races. This dilutes the power of individual voters and increases the costs associated with running in a local district-based race. The “Our City, Our Say” ballot initiative will give voters a chance to establish real council districts, breaking the at-large system that has kept political insiders in control and depressed voter participation.

The Working Families Party endorsement means these candidates and campaigns won’t be in this fight alone. The Ohio Working Families Party offers strategic campaign support, candidate training, financial contributions, and most importantly, a powerful movement of support — organizers, activists, and voters ready to mobilize for real change.

Last year, all ten candidates that the Ohio Working Families Party supported advanced to runoffs, with six ultimately winning seats. Shenise Turner-Sloss, now the Mayor of Dayton; Fran Wilson, Akron City Council; Dr. Antoinette Miranda, Columbus City School Board; Ajmeri Hoque, Franklin County Judge; and Nikki Hudson and Tanmay Shah, Cleveland City Council.

###