Ohio U alumnus, former GSS president makes run for congressional seat

Ohio Congressman Steve Stivers has a second challenger to his seat in 2020. 

Joel Newby, a native of Pickaway County — south of Columbus — officially launched his bid for Ohio’s 15th Congressional District against the incumbent on Tuesday. 

“Since I’ve lived and worked all over this district, I know that each region of the district requires a unique touch in order to help the community succeed,” Newby said in a press release. “It’s time for Ohio to have a representative who truly understands the issues and the goals of the communities.” 

Newby is running on a platform of equality, clean energy, affordable healthcare, affordable housing, more support for Ohio farmers, improvements to infrastructure and higher education, according to his website. 

“I’ve always thought a good representative understands the worries, the needs, and the dreams of the community,” he said in a press release.

A lifetime resident of the district, Newby attended Ohio University and studied political science, sociology and classical civilizations. As an undergrad, he was a member of the College Democrats and Student Senate, later serving as president of Graduate Student Senate while receiving a master’s degree in political science. 

Newby later attended Capital University Law School, where he received a law degree and worked for the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office. While living in Columbus, he helped out with multiple local races. He served as a campaign manager for a local school board race earlier this year. 

Newby is the second Democrat to launch a campaign to run against Stivers in 2020. The other is Daniel Kilgore, of Columbus, who previously volunteered for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. 

The 15th Congressional District stretches from parts of Athens County to Franklin County and covers 12 counties in central and southern Ohio. Stivers, a Republican from Upper Arlington — a suburb of Columbus — has represented the district since 2011. 

Editor's Note: Newby is a former communications director for The New Political.