Kent Smith

This aged well. Note the author.

Today, myself and several of my Ohio Senate and House Democratic colleagues were given the Friend of Public Education award by the Ohio Federation of Teachers. As a bonus, I got to hear from my pal Clara from the Ohio Students Association and Randi Weingarten, Prez of the American Fed. of Teachers.

Yesterday, I led a delegation of physicians, labor leaders, and community activists as we delivered 8,000 petition signatures to the University Hospital leadership asking that they not silence medical professionals who speak up for patient care. We were denied entry to the building.

Two dangerous things are happening in DC: 1. Trump is trying to discredit the 2026 midterms and 2. Congressional Republicans are trying to pass voter suppression legislation that could threaten the voting rights of 70 million married American women. We explain both in this week's ICYMI.

Trump's latest racist attack on the Obamas was despicable, but should surprise nobody. Reasonable Americans need to say that his views will not be tolerated. But we should recognize that it was intentional, meant to distract us from his unpopular and destructive policies. We discuss it all here.

It was great to see my friend Cara Jacob yesterday in Columbus. She is going to be a great addition to the Ohio Senate.

Big News from this past weekend. I have been endorsed for reelection to the Ohio State Senate by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. #SendKentBackToColumbus

Data Centers have exploded across Ohio because of a giant GOP tax cut being given to billion dollar corporations. As a result, our utility bills are higher and our electric grid is less stable. We discuss it and what me and my fellow Ohio Senate Democrats are doing about it in this week's ICYMI.

I have been officially endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party for my 2026 Ohio State Senate reelection campaign. Thank you Democrats. #SendKentBackToColumbus

Ohio Statehouse Action Shot! Tuesday night. Doing the work.

As Trump's war on basic liberties continues in Minnesota, I remind us that he wanted to do this in his first term too. I also share the two groups of people who can stop what's going on. All in this week's ICYMI Statehouse Edition.

Great evening tonight at the Golden Tavern and I was very proud to be introduced by my friend, and Senate District 21 voter, Dr. Lauren Beene.

If you are tired of being inside due to the cold AND you want to help send me back to Columbus, I got just the thing for you. Thursday night come to our campaign kickoff fundraiser or you can contribute online through Kent Smith dot org. Thanks for everyone's support.

With all the insanity coming out of the White House, you may have missed a significant interview with Vivek Ramaswamy. The likely GOP nominee for Ohio Governor said Medicaid was a mistake. Really? Over 3 million Ohioans depend on Medicaid, so getting rid of it would be terrible. We explain it here.

Workers, Obamacare enrollees and Medicare beneficiaries are all contending with steeper-than-usual hikes in their health insurance premiums for 2026 – yet another stressor in the nation’s affordability crisis.
https://cnn.it/49RpMzs

Attention Friends! In 2026, I am running for reelection to the Ohio State Senate. Please join our campaign. Share this video, contribute if you can, but also say good things about the work we do in the Capitol. Help send me back to Columbus. Together we can change Ohio.

Ohio lawmakers propose bill to make Election Day a holiday • Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Democratic lawmakers have proposed legislation to make Election Day a state holiday.

Ohio Democratic lawmakers have proposed legislation to make Election Day a state holiday ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/22/o...

FirstEnergy bribery scheme sank Lake Erie offshore wind, lawsuit says • Ohio Capital Journal Six years ago, it seemed like the Midwest was well on its way to building the first offshore wind farm in the Great Lakes. Then the project withered on the vine — and a civil lawsuit puts the blame on...

ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/08/f...

Ohio's next Governor (Amy Acton) came to Euclid tonight for an event and a good time was had by all.

MLK would have been 97 on Jan 15th. We should remember what he stood for and the America he thought was possible. While difficult days await, the future of this nation is up to us. There are 288 days until the midterms. There are 1,023 days until the next Presidential election.

Today I represented the Ohio Senate at the annual Akron Library MLK Lecture featuring Dr Jelani Cobb. I got to visit with Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, State. Rep, Veronica Sims, & former colleagues Emilia and Vernon Sykes.

This afternoon, I was honored to speak at the swearing in ceremony for Richmond Heights Mayor Kim Thomas and two members of their City Council - Bobby Jordan and Cherita Shaw. They are all great leaders for a community that I used to represent in Columbus as a State Representative.

As we pass the one year mark of Trump's second term, let's look back at a recent interview he gave and the final major campaign speech by Kamala Harris. But since the calendar only moves forward, let's consider our next steps with help from some champions of democracy - Kamala, John Lewis, and MLK.

Great News. My State Senate reelection campaign has earned it's first major endorsement. The Northshore AFL CIO has recommended that we be formally endorsed by the Ohio AFL CIO. In celebration, here are a few photos of my 205 labor activism.

Zohran and Mamdani are practicing their cat camouflage skills. Sneaky sneaky.

Tonight's live music was Kid Tigrrr and Austra at the Beachland Ballroom.

In this week's ICYMI, we will demonstrate that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine likes suppressing legally cast ballots more than he likes telling the truth. We will use his own words, from 2023 and 2025, to prove that point. The GOP is trying to steal your vote so they can steal the midterms.

Last night, I was proud (and lucky) to represent the Ohio General Assembly at the 46th anniversary of the Cleveland Orchestra's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration concert. This free concert is always one of the best events of the year and last night's performance was fantastic.

I had a great time speaking to Indivisible NEO last Wednesday night. I hope to return soon to provide more Statehouse updates. ... Also we are still trying to get our ICYMI update posted on BlueSky. Technical Issues. It's up on all our other social media accounts.