State Senator, District 11
What does this office do?
- Voting on how much you pay in state taxes
- Voting on how much money your local public schools get
- Voting on which roads and highways get built or repaired
Affects: AI Regulation, Healthcare Affordability, Environment and Public Health,
Candidates:
Republican
James S. Nowak is a Toledo lawyer of more than 40 years focused on estate planning, probate, elder law, real estate, and business law. Born and raised in Toledo, he holds bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Toledo.
Libertarian
Kenneth W. Sharp is the 2026 Libertarian nominee for Ohio Senate District 11 (Toledo/Lucas County), affiliated with the Lucas County Libertarian Party. Public biographical information is limited; he faces Democratic incumbent Paula Hicks-Hudson and Republican James Nowak in November.
Democratic · Incumbent
Paula Hicks-Hudson is a lawyer who was Toledo's first Black woman mayor, from 2015 to 2018, after four years on city council. She earlier worked as an assistant county prosecutor, public defender, and assistant state attorney general, and has served in both chambers of the Ohio legislature.
Records: Corporate Accountability 2 for, Environment and Public Health 1 for, Healthcare Affordability 1 for,
Sources: ohiocapitaljournal.com · ballotpedia.org