Voters will choose between two candidates in the race for Ohio House District 11, where incumbent Rep. Crystal Lett is running for reelection.
Lett, D-Hilliard, faces a challenge from Republican Shawn Kaesar.
The 11th district covers portions of northwest and western Franklin County, including Dublin and Hilliard. It is one of the few competitive districts in the Ohio legislature, with Dave's Redistricting App rating it as 53.8% Democratic and 45.2% Democratic.
Ohio's general election is Nov. 3, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters also may cast their ballots early at the Franklin County Board of Elections, located at 1700 Morse Road.
The information below was supplied by candidates responding to a questionnaire. The Dispatch only
edited responses for length or clarity.
Shawn Kaeser
Age: 54
Party: Republican
Campaign website: ShawnKaeser.com
Background: Shawn Kaeser is a Dublin City Schools social studies teacher. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education from Wright State University. He received a Master of Ministry from Grace College and a Master of Social Sciences from Ohio University.
Why are you the best candidate? Our community deserves a seat at the table when decisions are made at the Ohio Statehouse. As a trusted Dublin City Schools teacher for more than 30 years and a father of nine, I am running to give Dublin, Hilliard and northwest Franklin County a strong, common-sense voice in Ohio government. Ohio education needs a reset. Instead of distractions and culture wars, state policy must refocus on academic rigor that emphasizes content mastery, reduces screen time and preserves organic intelligence. Currently, working families, young adults and seniors on fixed incomes are feeling squeezed by rising costs. I will advocate for responsible government spending, property tax reform and energy policy that lowers daily living expenses. I live the same challenges our families face every day. District 11 cannot afford to be left out of conversations on tax relief, school quality and housing affordability. It's time for a teacher for a change!
What is your plan for addressing rising property taxes? The General Assembly has recently passed several tax-relief bills designed to ease the pressure of rising property taxes. These new laws will save homeowners money. There are still steps that need to be taken. Seniors are being driven out of their homes because of sudden high property tax bills. We need to take away this burden from those who have worked their entire lives and own their property. The General Assembly will take up this issue in the next session. District 11 deserves to be part of the discussions and decisions. Currently, Dublin and Hilliard are not part of creating any property tax-relief policies.
What policies would you pursue – if any – to help address the shortage of housing in central Ohio? Affordable housing has become an issue in Ohio. Builders have not built enough new homes to keep up with demand. Columbus and its suburbs, in particular, are growing faster than new homes can be built. The state must help by removing red tape and cutting regulations and fees that add to the problem. When the new General Assembly convenes in January, this topic will be a high priority. Dublin and Hilliard need to be part of the solution. A moderate Republican will be part of the conversation.
What, if any, role should the state government have in regulating data centers? Do they have a place in your community or not? There should be no new data centers built in District 11. Certainly, data centers do not need tax incentives anywhere in Ohio. We all seem to rely on the services data centers provide, yet the safety and energy concerns must be studied. This also will be a topic lawmakers will take up in January. They will craft policy, and like all other laws that are created, the citizens of Hilliard and Dublin will have no say if they are represented by an extreme member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
Crystal Lett
Age: 40
Party: Democrat
Campaign website: LettsGoOhio.com
Background: State Representative Crystal Lett represents Ohio House District 11. A Hilliard native, she earned a Bachelor's degree in political science from The Ohio State University. Before elected office, Lett worked as a mental health case manager, financial services professional and advocate for children and families. She later served as Ohio program director for Red Wine & Blue and recruitment director for LEAD Ohio. In the Ohio House, she has focused her legislative work on lowering costs for families, strengthening public education, expanding access to child care and health care, and improving opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities.
Why are you the best candidate? My connection to the community I represent is deeply personal. I was born and raised in Hilliard, attended our local public schools and have spent my life building relationships with the families, educators, advocates and community leaders who call central Ohio home. My experiences as a mental health professional, advocate, working mother and parent of a child with disabilities have given me a first-hand understanding of the challenges facing families in my district. In the Statehouse, I carry those experiences with me every day. I work tirelessly to make life more affordable, strengthen our public schools, expand access to quality child care and health care, support people with disabilities and ensure families have the resources they need to thrive. I am committed to being an accessible advocate who listens to my constituents and brings their concerns directly to the Statehouse. Representing this district is more than an elected position; it is an opportunity to serve and fight for the community that raised me.
What is your plan for addressing rising property taxes? One of the most effective ways we can provide meaningful property tax relief is by ensuring the state fulfills its responsibility to adequately fund our public schools. For too long, Ohio has relied too heavily on local property taxpayers to make up the difference when state funding falls short, putting an unfair burden on homeowners, seniors and working families. By fully funding our public schools with a greater and more reliable state investment, we can reduce the pressure on local property taxes while ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education, regardless of ZIP code. Property tax relief and strong public schools should not be competing priorities; we can and must accomplish both.
What policies would you pursue – if any – to help address the shortage of housing in central Ohio? Central Ohio is growing rapidly, but our housing supply has not kept pace with the needs of our families. I believe we need an all-of-the-above approach that increases the supply of housing, encourages a wider range of housing options and makes it easier for working families, seniors and people with disabilities to find a home they can afford in the communities they choose. That commitment is reflected in my work as a joint sponsor of House Bill 585, which passed the Ohio House with strong bipartisan support. HB 585 modernizes how Ohio can use community capital assistance funds to expand housing options for people with developmental disabilities, including options such as single-family homes, duplexes, condominiums, accessory dwelling units and other housing models. As the mother of a child with developmental disabilities, I know how important it is for families to have confidence that their loved ones will have safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to live independently in the communities they call home. Addressing our housing shortage means building a central Ohio where everyone has a place to belong.
What, if any, role should the state government have in regulating data centers? Do they have a place in your community or not? I support innovation and economic development, but data centers must be good neighbors and the communities hosting them deserve transparency about their impact. That is why I introduced House Bill 784, requiring data centers to report their monthly and annual water consumption and prohibiting water-use information from being hidden in nondisclosure agreements with local governments. As data center development expands across central Ohio, residents and local leaders should know how these facilities will affect our water supply, infrastructure, utilities and communities before decisions are made. Economic development should never depend on secret deals or leave taxpayers without the information they need. I will continue working to ensure that data center growth is responsible, transparent and accountable to the people who live here.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet the candidates in Ohio's 11th House District race
