U.S. House race · November 3, 2026
U.S. Representative, Ohio District 2
Represents the district in the U.S. House of Representatives, which writes federal laws, approves the federal budget and taxes, and oversees the executive branch.
2-year term. Under the 2026 map, the district stretches across southern and southeastern Ohio from Clermont County east along the Ohio River to Washington County (Marietta), including Adams, Athens, Brown, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton counties and part of Perry County.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name.
Jennifer Mazzuckelli
Former high school English teacher; 2024 Democratic nominee for Clermont County commissionerJen Mazzuckelli is a former teacher and first-time congressional candidate who won the May 2026 Democratic primary with 53% of the vote. Her campaign emphasizes affordability, accessibility to constituents, campaign finance changes and representing all residents regardless of party.
Dave Taylor
U.S. Representative, Ohio District 2 (since 2025)Dave Taylor is a businessman and former assistant prosecutor first elected to Congress in 2024. He is campaigning on lowering taxes, border security, rural infrastructure and federal funding for southern and Appalachian Ohio.
Compare on the issues
Summaries of each candidate's stated positions. See each profile for sources and details.
| Issue | Jennifer Mazzuckelli Democratic | Dave Taylor Republican |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | No public position found yet | Describes himself as pro-life and says "the unborn deserve to be protected by the law"; also supports adoption and child care access. |
| Economy & Jobs | Says the economy is "not on track," citing trade policy, deficits, inflation, slowing job growth and effects of deportations on industries that rely on immigrant labor. | No public position found yet |
| Education | No public position found yet | Supports dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, parental rights and expanded school choice. |
| Elections & Democracy | Says money should be removed from politics, criticizes the Citizens United decision, and pledges to accept only small-dollar donations. | No public position found yet |
| Government Accountability | Supports barring elected officials from office if they knowingly deceive voters and says corporate influence in politics is excessive. | No public position found yet |
| Guns | No public position found yet | Opposes gun control measures and says he will always vote to protect the Second Amendment. |
| Health Care | Says substance abuse should be treated as a mental health issue rather than a crime. | No public position found yet |
| Housing | Supports affordable housing, which she defines as costing no more than 30% of income. | No public position found yet |
| Immigration | No public position found yet | Supports finishing the southern border wall, increasing Border Patrol funding, and his Deporting Fraudsters Act making benefits fraud a deportable offense. |
| Infrastructure | No public position found yet | Prioritizes rural broadband expansion, rural health care infrastructure, and locks, dams and township infrastructure. |
| Public Safety | Calls for a full investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's sex-trafficking network, describing it as a security risk. | No public position found yet |
| Taxes | No public position found yet | Supports making tax cuts permanent and cites the 2025 tax law's provisions on tips, overtime and the estate tax exemption. |