Who is running for Ohio Senate, District 7 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Ohio Senate, District 7 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Ohio Senate District 7.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Zac HainesRepublican | Cara JacobDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | No public position | Raise it to around $15Said · low |
| Business regulation | Cut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental rulesSaid · low | No public position |
| Healthcare | No public position | Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)Said · low |
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestSaid · low | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · low |
| Guns | No public position | Add universal background checks and red-flag lawsSaid · low |
| School choice | No public position | No, keep public money in traditional public schoolsSaid · medium |
| Redistricting | No public position | Independent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingSaid · low |
| Childcare and pre-K | No public position | Offer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidSaid · medium |
Zac Haines
RepublicanCEO of a group purchasing organization; Miami University trustee
Zac Haines is a Republican and business owner who grew his family's buying group into an international purchasing organization with more than $2 billion in combined purchasing power1. He was appointed by Ohio's governor to a nine-year term on Miami University's board of trustees in 2018 and was nominated by President Trump in 2020 to the board of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation1. He lives in Symmes Township with his wife and two sons1.
Where they stand 2 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Business regulationCut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental ruleslow
Said · low confidence- Said he will work to protect small businesses from burdensome regulations and promote pro-growth policies when accepting the NFIB Ohio PAC endorsement. (2026-04-10) source
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
Said · low confidence- On accepting the Ohio Right to Life PAC endorsement, said he was honored to have the support of organizations and leaders committed to protecting life. (2026-03-20) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Healthcare, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Cara Jacob
DemocratNeurologist
Cara Jacob is a Democrat and neurologist who says she has cared for patients and families across Ohio communities1. She was raised in a small town and is a wife and mother of two1. She is running for the open Senate District 7 seat on a platform of public school funding, health care access and property tax reform2.
Where they stand 9 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her platform says she will fully fund public schools through the state budget and opposes the current voucher system as diverting taxpayer dollars without accountability. (2026) source
Childcare and pre-KOffer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her platform calls for expanding access to affordable childcare, paid family leave and universal pre-K. (2026) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Said · low confidence- Her platform says she will fight any legislation that threatens access to reproductive health care and will protect access to contraception and IVF. (2026) source
HealthcareGovernment-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All)low
Said · low confidence- Her platform calls for patient-centered reforms while working toward universal health care, lower prescription costs through oversight of pharmacy benefit managers, and more affordable insulin. (2026) source
Minimum wageRaise it to around $15low
Said · low confidence- Her platform supports passing a living wage and protecting the right to organize. (2026) source
GunsAdd universal background checks and red-flag lawslow
Said · low confidence- Her platform supports data-driven, evidence-based policies to reduce gun violence and common-sense reforms while protecting responsible gun owners. (2026) source
RedistrictingIndependent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderinglow
Said · low confidence- Her platform says she will fight for fair, transparent maps that put voters first and opposes gerrymandered district maps. (2026) source
Drug pricesNo single answer fitslow
Said · low confidence- Her platform calls for lowering prescription costs by strengthening oversight of pharmacy benefit managers and making insulin more affordable. (2026) source
Housing and growthNo single answer fitslow
Said · low confidence- Her platform opposes corporate bulk purchases of homes. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Business regulation, Immigration, Energy and climate, Curriculum and books, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.