Don Leonard

Don Leonard is the Democratic nominee for Ohio's 15th Congressional District. A professor of city and regional planning at The Ohio State University and a former U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, he won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary over Adam Miller. In his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey he describes his campaign as centered on household costs for working families.[1][2]

Leonard describes growing up as the son of a single mother, with childhood periods when poverty and homelessness were close.[1][3] He earned a bachelor's degree in political science (2001) and a master's degree in regional development (2003) from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. After college he served two years in the U.S. Peace Corps in South America, according to his survey and campaign website.[1][3] He later earned a Ph.D. in government from Cornell University (2013) and, according to his campaign website, was a postdoctoral researcher at Tulane University.[1][3]

Leonard works as a professor of city and regional planning at The Ohio State University, where his campaign website says he has taught for about ten years.[1][2][3] He defeated Adam Miller in the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary, 52.9% to 47.1%, and faces Republican Rep. Mike Carey in November.[1][2] Leonard says he and his wife had a daughter in January 2025 and that the birth was part of his decision to run for office.[1][3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.