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Paula Hicks-Hudson

Democratic · OH · Ohio State Senator, District 11

Official website

Paula Hicks-Hudson has represented District 11 (Toledo/Lucas County) in the Ohio Senate since 2022. A lawyer who worked as an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, assistant public defender, and assistant state attorney general, she joined Toledo City Council in 2011, served as council president 2013-2015, then became Toledo's first African American female mayor (2015-2018) after Mayor Michael Collins's death, and served in the Ohio House (District 44) before her Senate election. She holds degrees from Spelman College, Colorado State University, and the University of Iowa College of Law. She is seeking re-election in 2026 against Republican James Nowak and Libertarian Kenneth Sharp.

Track record

Environment and Public Health

· 1 record

  • As Toledo mayor, championed the city's Lead Safe Ordinance (Ordinance 226-16), which requires pre-1978 rental units and in-home daycares to be inspected and certified lead-safe before rental; Toledo City Council passed it unanimously on August 16, 2016.

    August 16, 2016For

    Source: nonprofitquarterly.org · researched July 3, 2026

Healthcare Affordability

· 1 record

  • As a state senator, co-chairs the Ohio Black Maternal Health Caucus and hosted its second annual Black Maternal Health Summit at the Ohio Statehouse, convening legislators, agencies, and providers on maternal and infant health.

    April 14, 2026For

    Source: ohiosenate.gov · researched July 3, 2026

Housing Affordability

· 1 record

  • As Toledo mayor, championed the city's Lead Safe Ordinance (Ordinance 226-16), which requires pre-1978 rental units and in-home daycares to be inspected and certified lead-safe before rental; Toledo City Council passed it unanimously on August 16, 2016.

    August 16, 2016For

    Source: nonprofitquarterly.org · researched July 3, 2026

Public Infrastructure

· 1 record

  • As Toledo mayor, proposed a temporary municipal income-tax increase dedicated to residential road repair; Toledo voters rejected the increase in the March 2016 election.

    March 16, 2016For

    Source: toledoblade.com · researched July 3, 2026

Elections

Profile last researched July 3, 2026.