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Candidates › OH-05 race › 2025–2026
Brian A. Shaver
D Democratic nominee for U.S. House, OH-05
Has not served in Congress
- On the ballot
- Lost the general electionNov 3, 2026 · 141,815 votes (43.4%) · 2 of 3
- Where to vote
- Find your polling place (opens in a new tab) · More ways to vote
- Top priorities
- Affordability and Taxes
- Agriculture and Foreign Trade
- Constitutional Policy and Founding Documents
- Education
- Freedom of Religion
- Money
- $59.1K raised, $32.1K spent, $39.3K cash on hand (through Oct 14, 2026). Where it comes from
- Who gives
- 0% of individual money from donors at $200 or less · largest committee giver NEA FUND FOR CHILDREN AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, $2.5K
- Outside groups
- $113.3K opposing Shaver
13 priorities from brianshaverforcongress.com, in the order they are listed there. Every heading and the text under it is copied exactly, as one passage for each page it is from, and links to that place on the page; hover a source to see which passage it opens.
I’ve felt the squeeze of rising costs myself, from grocery shopping to gas to housing, and it’s clear that everyday life has become less affordable for families like mine. I believe Congress can help by supporting farmers, strengthening the food supply, and investing in modest, affordable housing in rural communities. We also need to bring down the cost of essentials like medication and other staples that people rely on. To make the system fairer, I think the wealthiest Americans should pay the same tax rate as everyone else, without loopholes that let income be hidden. At the end of the day, people deserve an economy that works for them — not just for those at the top.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
Agriculture is the backbone of our congressional district, and our farmers deserve real protection and representation. Reckless policies, like sweeping tariffs and abrupt cuts to foreign aid, have shaken the financial stability of growers who rely on global markets. We saw it when soybean futures were poised for a record year, only to crash after unconstitutional tariffs on China, and again as conflict in Iran drove fertilizer and fuel costs sky‑high right before planting season. Congress needs to use its constitutional authority to keep the president’s actions in check. It also must address the growing threat of large‑scale farmland purchases by foreign investors that risk creating a modern form of sharecropping.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
I believe my first responsibility as an elected official is to uphold the U.S. Constitution. To me, that means respecting the clear roles and limits the Constitution sets for each branch of government as well as the relationship between the federal government and the states. Our system only works when those checks and balances are honored. I feel that Congress has become the weakest link because it hasn’t enforced those boundaries or fulfilled key duties like budgeting, oversight, and holding the other branches accountable. In my view, executive actions that resemble lawmaking should be challenged and sent through the proper legislative process.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
I have dedicated my life to educating our youth, and I believe our country needs to invest in strong schools. Even though education is largely a state responsibility, the federal government still plays a big role, and I believe it must fund schools adequately and staff the Department of Education with qualified professionals who truly support teachers and students. I don’t believe politicians should micromanage classrooms with excessive testing, censorship, or rigid mandates; our job is to support educators, not replace them. I also believe higher‑education programs, including international exchanges like the Fulbright program that shaped my own academic journey, strengthen our nation and should be expanded rather than dismantled. Ultimately, we need a national education approach paired with strong workforce development that respects teachers, prepares students, and keeps our country competitive.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
Our founders intentionally kept religion out of the Constitution so that people of all faiths could belong in this country without fear of government favoritism or interference. The First Amendment makes it absolutely clear that Congress has no business establishing a national religion or limiting anyone’s right to practice their own. My personal faith guides my character, but it will never dictate how I legislate or how I treat people who believe differently. I won’t support laws that elevate one religion over another or push the United States toward becoming a theocracy. Our founders separated church and state on purpose, and I’m committed to keeping it that way.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
I believe firmly in the Second Amendment, and I’ve even attended NRA events because I respect responsible gun ownership. At the same time, firearms should not be as easy to access as they are today. We can protect constitutional rights while still putting common‑sense safeguards in place to keep guns out of the wrong hands. To me, background checks, safe storage expectations, and reasonable limits aren’t threats to freedom, They’re basic steps to keep our communities safe.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
In a country as advanced as ours, no one should have to worry about whether they can access or afford quality healthcare. People deserve care based on medical expertise, not insurance company hurdles, delays, or denials that create unnecessary pain and cost, as I’ve seen in my own family. I see healthcare as a fundamental right, and no one should have to choose between treatment and paying their bills or fall into poverty because of medical needs. The skyrocketing cost of insurance, prescriptions, and long‑term care is pushing Americans to the brink, even those with supposedly “good” coverage. To me, the system is clearly broken, and it’s time for a serious overhaul that puts people’s health above corporate profit.
Additionally, I believe healthcare decisions should be made between a person and their physician. I have no desire to tell a woman what to do with her body, nor do I believe it is my or the government’s place to police access to gender-affirming care.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
I’ve always believed the American Dream is rooted in feeling secure — secure in yourself, your finances, and your ability to work and build a life. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity by the government as they pursue that dream. Our immigration system should reflect those values by being fair, humane, and focused on helping people contribute safely and legally. When we honor those principles, we strengthen both our communities and our country.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
The federal government has a responsibility to protect fair labor practices and ensure people earn a truly livable wage. I’ve seen firsthand how a single income once supported a family comfortably, and it’s clear to me that today’s workers aren’t getting the same chance at stability. Corporate profits and incentives have been prioritized over people, and we need to restore balance by guaranteeing fair pay, strong benefits, reasonable hours, and respect for workers’ time. I also think unions play a vital role in protecting the middle class and shouldn’t be undermined simply because they expect companies to share their success with the people who create it. At the end of the day, a healthy economy depends on treating workers fairly and giving them the dignity they deserve.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
I believe we have the best‑trained, most dedicated military in the world, and our safety is built on the sacrifices of those who serve. Because of that, I think we owe them deep respect and should be very cautious about how we use the military, especially when it comes to reclassifying service members or deploying troops for routine policing at home. I’m troubled by recent actions that raise constitutional concerns, invite criticism from international bodies, or blur the line between military and civilian roles. I’m also deeply concerned about how many veterans still struggle to get the physical and mental healthcare they deserve. For me, supporting our soldiers means protecting their rights, using their service responsibly, and strengthening our alliances, not weakening them.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
I believe “We the People” means the government should protect everyone equally, without imposing tests, labels, or discriminating based on identity. As a legislator, I focus on people’s rights — not their race, gender, orientation, or any other personal characteristic — and I refuse to support policies that treat any group as less deserving. I also believe Constitutional protections apply to all people within our borders, regardless of citizenship, and that due process is a fundamental safeguard we must uphold at home and abroad. Practices like mass detentions, deportations without hearings, or militarized actions against people based on appearance violate those principles and echo the abuses our founders warned about. For me, honoring our nation’s ideals means ensuring liberty and justice truly apply to everyone.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues
The time has come to utilize the amendment process in Article V to set clear limits on how long members of Congress can serve. I also believe we need strict rules on campaign funding so that money comes from the people we represent, not special interests or corporations. Inspired by Madison’s warnings in Federalist 10, I do not believe lawmakers should profit from insider trading or hold investments while in office. Public service should mean putting the public first, not personal financial gain. At the end of the day, we’re here to represent the will of the people, because they’re the ones who grant us the authority to govern.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · brianshaverforcongress.com/issues