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U.S. House · Ohio's 15th District

Gary Josephson

CandidateIND

Race
U.S. House · Ohio's 15th District
Result
Don Leonard, projected winner
Opponents
Mike Carey (R); Don Leonard (D); Brennan Barrington (LIB); Samuel Ronan (IND)
Research
Minimal record

Party linenone

No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.

Said vs. did0 statements · 0 votes

Gary Josephson, an independent write-in candidate, lost the November 3, 2026 election for U.S. House in Ohio's 15th Congressional District to Don Leonard. He was the Democratic nominee for the seat in 2022, losing to Mike Carey, and described a long background as a union representative and community organizer.[1][2]

On the ballotU.S. House · 15

2026-11-03

Mike Carey Rincumbent
Don Leonard Dchallenger
Brennan Barrington LIBchallenger
Gary Josephson INDchallenger
Samuel Ronan INDchallenger

Filed as an independent write-in candidate.

Biography

Gary Josephson, an independent write-in candidate, lost the November 3, 2026 election for U.S. House in Ohio's 15th Congressional District to Don Leonard. He was the Democratic nominee for the seat in 2022, losing to Mike Carey, and described a long background as a union representative and community organizer.[1][2]

Little public record found for this candidate.

Josephson earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University in 1980. In a 2022 Ballotpedia survey, he described himself as an activist for more than 50 years, with experience as a union representative, community activist and youth worker, and as president of CWA Local 4501.[1] He said he studied elections, legislation, environment, constitution, banking, arbitration and international human rights at the Ohio State University law school.[1]

Josephson finished fifth with 6.6% in the April 28, 2020 Democratic primary for Ohio House District 25. In 2022 he won the May 3 Democratic primary for Ohio's 15th District unopposed, then lost the November 8 general election to Mike Carey, 43.0% to 57.0%.[1] He lost to Don Leonard, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[2]

In their own words

Priorities

  • In a 2022 survey for a prior U.S. House race, listed opposing stereotyping and discrimination as a campaign message.[3]
  • In the same 2022 survey, listed rebuilding U.S. industry using green energy, public/private partnerships and worker participation as a policy passion.[3]

Statements, quoted without a stance

  • Faster transition away from fossil fuels
    “Coal is the past. Wind, solar, and batteries are the future. That's where the jobs are.”[3]

    In his 2022 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, from his previous run for this seat

Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.

Profile: /people/gary-josephson

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Sources cited in this profile

  1. 1.Gary Josephson, Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2022) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2022-01-01 Candidate's own words
  2. 2.U.S. House Ohio's 15th District results 2026 · NBC News News report
  3. 3.Gary Josephson, Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2022) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2022-01-01 Candidate's own words