Student Senate hosted a candidate forum Tuesday for the Ohio House District 95 race. The forum was between incumbent Don Jones and opponent Micah McCarey.
After giving opening statements, the two candidates were asked about the environment.
McCarey shared his desire for more renewable energy in the district. Jones disagreed and said wind and solar energy are not practical in Southeast Ohio because of a lack of wind currents.
The candidates also discussed gun violence. They agreed mental health should be addressed and resources should be more available, especially in Appalachia, to provide people the help they need.
Jones said schools need to focus on safety, such as making safety plans or arming teachers. McCarey disagreed and said representatives need to focus on improving background checks and gun permits to address the issue before it gets to schools.
“We cannot just think about school funding to increase metal detectors and security guards,” McCarey said. “Instead, try to address the root causes.”
The candidates were then asked about what they would do to combat the Opioid crisis in Southeast Ohio.
Jones said during his time in office he worked to get an addiction facility in St. Clairsville, Ohio, that began its construction last week. He said he voted for legislation at the state level to put money and resources back into Ohio.
McCarey agreed addiction facilities are important but said expanding mental health resources and supporting social workers can also play a role in ensuring people don’t relapse.
Both candidates said job insecurity and housing insecurity have a huge effect on mental health and addiction issues.
"Whenever people are out of work, times are tough, and when things aren’t going well, this is when the problems start to begin,” Jones said.
McCarey said the state should invest more in small businesses and entrepreneurs to combat job insecurity in the region. If elected, he wants to increase the availability of grants for small businesses and make it easier for people, specifically minority groups, to navigate a start-up.
“That’s one thing I found across District 95, which is pretty varied in terms of spanning six counties,” McCarey said. “Small businesses are commonly the backbone of the communities in these counties.”
Affordable health care was a concern during the forum. Jones highlighted his work as a co-sponsor for House Bill 49, which seeks to inform patients about what their hospital bill will be before they receive care.
McCarey responded and said he is in support of universal healthcare, but since that isn’t achievable right now, he supports expanding programs like Medicaid and Medicare and improving employee health benefits.
When asked about the Israel-Hamas war and other conflicts, Jones said state legislators focus on statewide business and foreign affairs should be left up to U.S. senators.
McCarey mentioned his work on Athens City Council to pass a ceasefire resolution which was the result of a significant constituent push. He said he believes it’s important for a representative to listen to their constituents and act on the majority consensus.
“I listen to citizens and I hear them say that you are a representative and you have the ability to amplify my voice, and I see it’s your responsibility to speak on behalf of what you believe the majority of your citizens are asking you to relay to our state house,” McCarey said.
The candidates also discussed what the next steps on abortion should be now that Ohioans voted to legalize it.
McCarey said he believes this decision should be between a woman and her doctor.
Jones said legislators must be involved to ensure parents are involved in healthcare decisions until their child becomes an adult.
“If they’re under the age of 18, their parents need to be involved as well because, as a parent, we have to add some type of protection for our children,” Jones said.
In closing statements, McCarey emphasized how his time in the City Council improved his abilities as a legislator, and he wants to continue to communicate with and listen to his constituents if elected to the Ohio House.
Jones said his record as House representative speaks for itself. He has worked toward bipartisan legislation, an overhaul of the state report card for public schools, and hopes to finish what he started if re-elected.
Citizens in parts of Athens County, along with Morgan, Noble, Harrison, Guernsey and Belmont Counties, can vote on Ohio House District 95 Nov. 5 or early vote at their county Board of Elections.
