Ohio Senate spotlight: Ari Faber for District 30
Photo via: Ari Faber’s Instagram (@faberforohio).
“Pro-Freedom, Pro-Family, Pro-Labor”
Ari Faber is a Democrat running for Ohio’s 30th Senate District to protect the rights of constituents in Ohio. He is one of the first transgender men to run for Ohio Senate. Faber is “[committed] to making a difference in people's lives, [his] mission is to create a society where everyone has what they need.”
“As your state senator, I will fight to secure the food, quality addiction treatment, and healthcare access our region deserves,” Faber said.
Faber was born and raised in Appalachian Ohio and attended Ohio University to pursue a career in psychology. Originally, Faber wanted to be a therapist to help people struggling with mental health disorders, but during his time at Ohio U, Faber shifted his involvement to the Hocking College Foundation, where he fell in love with nonprofit work. He has been involved since, creating opportunities for citizens whose voices may not always be heard. Faber did not anticipate being a politician but now says he “see[s] politics as the most sustainable way to help others and make real systemic change for our community.”
Key Policy and Issues:
Protecting the Environment
Faber plans to use renewable energy to begin to eliminate the climate crisis of our nation. Madison County, Ohio is home to one of the United States’ largest agrivoltaics projects, the Oak Run Solar Project. This term is used to describe the practice that involves using the same land for energy and farming, and is often beneficial for the environment. The nation is moving towards clean energy and Faber wants to maintain the opportunity for workers through his district by leading the way for Ohio.
In embracing the national Clean Water Act, Faber plans to back a new Clean Water Act in Ohio for advancing Water Quality Standards to protect waterways through legislative work, to hold polluters responsible. Ohio Faber said, “Those who pollute must face accountability for failing to keep us safe,” and that the Clean Water Act has not helped enough for Ohio. Faber intends to fight to keep water systems safe so that citizens, animals, and the planet can be free of corporate causes.
Food Insecurity: Making food more accessible
As a state senator, Faber plans to advocate for food programs like the SNAP Program and the School Lunch Programs to allow equal access to nutritious foods, saying: “I believe that everybody has a right to nutritious food and clean water.”
Faber encourages the increase of SNAP benefits eligibility in Ohio. A bipartisan initiative to increase eligibility is being considered by the legislature. Faber stated that he “wants this done for communities,” especially with the rise of inflation over the years, Faber wants affordability for all. With this, he supports the school lunch programs, suggesting full support because growing children have needs to be met. “Ohio is better than letting children go hungry,” Faber said.
While incorporating SNAP programs in Ohio, Faber’s goal is to increase the obtainability of nutritional foods in recipients’ lives, allowing families to purchase cost-effective meats, fruits and vegetables. That would improve the quality of life for low-income families in Ohio.
Making Healthcare more accessible
Faber believes healthcare is a right and should be accessible to all citizens. Promoting equal access allows advocating for lowering medication costs, the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare, and forwarding the removal of coverage barriers in Ohio.
Freedom for the people to make decisions about their bodies is an additional key policy concern for Faber. “Ohioans have made it clear that they want the government’s hands off our bodies, and I will fight for our freedom, Faber said.” They support access to not just abortion, but in vitro fertilization (IVF) and affirmative gender healthcare. As an Ohio representative, Faber would aim to promote medical freedom and equal access.
The Ohio Education Association and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio have endorsed Faber. “This election is between self-interest and nonprofit advocacy, people choose who they want,” Faber said.
When asked in an interview about his core values, Faber voiced he firmly stands by his career in helping anyone he can. He commented, “No one is coming to save us but us.” Faber is a strong supporter of the importance of quality of life in America, and that “we need to stay in touch with humanity” to get things done.
As a strong supporter of local small businesses, Faber was asked about the problem arising between businesses and nonprofits. They clarified that, while the situation is difficult, there is an urgent need for understanding the importance of balance between the two. The polarization in the nation today, Faber agrees, is framing the struggles faced in Ohio, and they want to be there to win the fight against big business. “My approach is to fight for the people and make Ohio a better place for everyone,” Faber said.
Faber has a commitment to making a crucial change in a new direction for the Ohio people. A win for Faber means Ohio would see its first transgender Ohio Senator. This is a lead for minority issues, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community–a progressive step for Ohio.
“I have seen firsthand the struggles of working-class families, and I know that access to food, healthcare, and the opioid crisis are major issues that we all see and feel, yet are not addressed by our elected officials,” Faber said.