(The Center Square) – With less than a month before the midterm elections, candidates in Ohio’s redrawn first congressional district are divided on tax policies and education.
Ohio’s first congressional district was redrawn in October 2025 to favor a Republican challenger. Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, is seeking a third term against Republican Eric Conroy.
Landsman introduced the Working Americans Affordability Tax Credit Act in September, legislation that would give Americans tax filers making less than $100,000 per year a monthly tax credit check.
The maximum $4,200 check would be funded through a minimum 20% tax rate on individuals making more than $100 million, including unrealized assets.
“I’m fighting for a new law to put a minimum tax on billionaires and use every dime of that money to lower taxes for working people,” Landsman said in a new advertisement. “These billionaires will have to pay their taxes, so it’s a little easier for you to pay your bills.”
Conroy did not respond to The Center Square’s request for comment on Landsman’s tax proposal. His campaign has focused on lowering middle class taxes and supporting small businesses, according to Conroy’s website.
“As a common-sense conservative, Eric will fight to control inflation by cutting wasteful spending, restoring American energy independence to reduce fuel costs, and removing red tape that suppresses small business growth,” Conroy’s website reads.
The two candidates disagreed over approaches to education funding. Conroy supported the Trump administration’s federal Education Freedom Tax Credit.
The Ohio legislature opted to participate in the program, which goes into effect Jan. 1 and supported K-12 education expenses, including tutoring and tuition.
“He will advocate for reducing federal bureaucracy and returning more funding to states and local school districts,” Conroy’s website reads. “Eric supports policies that empower parents and local communities to have a greater say in their children’s education.”
Landsman did not explicitly offer support for the Trump administration’s new education policy. However, he touted his record to pass funding for the Cincinnati Preschool Promise, a non-profit that provides preschool for children in Cincinnati.
As a member of the Cincinnati city council, Landsman led efforts to establish a $15 million yearly fund to support the preschool program.
“The philanthropic dollars we raised helped us secure long-term sustainable public funding,” Landsman said. “Voters said ‘We want this! We want our tax dollars to go to our children.’”
President Donald Trump delivered remarks in near Dayton on Saturday as the midterm elections loom. High oil and gas prices tied to the U.S. military conflict in Iran have deflated support for the president and caused some Republican candidates to distance themselves from him.
Conroy did not stand alongside President Donald Trump at the rally onSaturday. The Republican’s campaign manager cited a family obligation–his sister's wedding–for not attending.
Gas prices will fell today in Ohio by 38.5 cents per gallon as the state’s 90-day gas tax holiday takes effect. The lower prices could bring about greater favorability for Republicans in the state where high-profile matchups are expected to determine control of Congress.
Landsman holds a large fundraising advantage over Conroy with more than $4.6 million in contributions and $3.6 million in cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission. Conroy holds $1.5 million in contributions and more than $474,000 in cash on hand.
Landsman received $5,000 from the Growth Energy PAC, a committee operated by the nation’s largest biofuel trade association. He also received $2,500 from the Allied Pilots Association PAC and $2,000 from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, a tribe in lower Alabama.
Conroy received $7,000 from Winklevoss Capital Management, a group that in May invested more than $100 million into Gemini for the development of blockchain technology. Conroy said he supports a federal framework for blockchain and cryptocurrency that protects consumers and supports innovation.
“Eric opposes efforts by Washington to overregulate or ban decentralized technologies, and he will work to ensure U.S. policies promote freedom, privacy, and responsible innovation,” Conroy’s website reads.
Conroy also received $7,000 from Timberline PAC and $1,000 from George Malacos, chairman of Miami Industrial Trucks.
Domestic absentee ballots will be sent out starting on Oct. 6, the same day early in-person voting begins until the Sunday before Election Day.
Polls are open in Ohio from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. For more information, visit the Ohio Secretary of State website, at ohiosos.gov. For more information on candidates and results on Election Day, visit thecentersquare.com/ohio.
