American Motherhood

Ohio’s U.S. Senate race is one of the most closely watched in the country, and this week we sat down with Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton to talk about why. A mom of four daughters and a U.S. Senate candidate herself, Lt. Governor Stratton has spent her career advocating for families and championing change, from maternal health care to higher wages for working parents. She joined us while in Ohio campaigning on behalf of Sherrod Brown.We talked about what it would mean to have Sherrod Brown back in the Senate, the priorities he would pick back up from his previous term, and how he would approach the current rising cost of groceries, housing, and childcare. We also asked the questions that matter most to the women in our community. Whether you’re raising kids now, hoping to someday, or supporting the families around you, what should you be asking yourself about the future we want as you prepare to vote? And what’s really at stake for the next generation?Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, and early voting is open now at your county board of elections. Regardless of how you vote, every mom has a voice. So please use it.Learn more about Sherrod Brown here. Get to know Juliana Stratton here.

In this final episode of our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series, we sit down with Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, State Representative for Ohio House District 4 and Ohio House Minority Whip.Since she’s running unopposed this year, we take advantage of her expertise to pull back the curtain on how a political party actually works, from the Democratic National Committee to our county parties. We talk about what the caucus is, who really influences legislators, how much independence they also have, and how we can have a voice in the party to make sure our district’s needs are addressed. Our goal isn’t to tell you who to vote for. It’s to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.Thank you for following along with us this season! Listen to the full conversation and catch up on every episode of our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.Connect with Beryl Brown Piccolantonio:Berylforohio.comInstagramFacebookXResources for this conversation:We’ve included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.Ohio Revised Code 3517.03: The state law that structures both major parties in Ohio, including state and county central committees, whose members are elected in the primaries.Democratic National Committee: The national party, which sets the platform, runs the presidential nominating process, and supports state parties.Ohio Democratic Party: The state party, with information on leadership, county parties, and ways to get involved.Franklin County Democratic Party: The county party for District 4, with local endorsements, events, and volunteer opportunities.Ohio Republican Party: For comparison. State law gives both major parties the same committee structure.United She Stands: Unpacking the “Establishment Democrat”: Rep. Brown Piccolantonio joins Ashley and Sara to break down what the term really means.American Motherhood: Rep. Beryl x Private School Vouchers: Our earlier conversation with Rep. Brown Piccolantonio on EdChoice vouchers.American Motherhood: Can Republicans and Democrats Still Find Common Ground?: Our interview with Senator Blessing, referenced in this episode.

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Shelby Kimball, a mom of four, Marine Corps and Army National Guard veteran, and the Democratic candidate running to represent Ohio House District 60 in Delaware County, to talk about the issues that matter to Ohio families.We dig into her priorities for the state, including strong public schools, affordable and accessible healthcare, and support for veterans and military families. Shelby also shares how years of navigating the same systems so many Ohio families rely on, from classrooms to doctor’s offices, shaped her decision to run.Our goal isn’t to tell you who to vote for. It’s to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.Connect with Shelby Kimball:Kimballforohio.comInstagramFacebookResources for this conversation:We’ve included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.Ohio Education Association: Ohio’s largest teachers union, representing teachers and education support professionals across the state. It bargains contracts, advocates on school funding and education policy at the Statehouse, and offers professional development for educators.Teachers Unions Lift Salaries and School Spending, But Evidence on Student Achievement Is Mixed (The 74): A balanced look at the research. Studies generally agree that collective bargaining raises school spending, while findings on student outcomes are mixed.National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias: A nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by ectodermal dysplasias, a group of rare genetic conditions that can affect the hair, teeth, nails, and sweat glands. It offers family resources, connects people with specialized care, and advocates for better access to treatment.

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Jerrad Christian, the Democratic candidate running to represent Ohio's 12th Congressional District, to talk about the issues that matter to Ohio families.With rural, suburban, and urban communities side by side, District 12 represents so much of Ohio's diversity all in one place, and serving it means balancing very different needs. We dig into how Jerrad's priorities, from public school funding to AI to agriculture, would reach every corner of the district, including his case for single-payer health care.Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at AmericanMotherhood.com.Resources for this conversation:We've included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.GI Bill Benefits (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs): An overview of the education and training benefits available to veterans, service members, and their families.AcreTrader: An online platform that lets investors buy shares of U.S. farmland, part of a growing trend of investor ownership in agriculture.Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Congress.gov) and House Vote Record: The $1.2 trillion 2021 law funding roads, bridges, broadband, and water systems. Thirteen House Republicans voted for it, and the vote record shows how each Ohio member voted.Court Rules No Constitutional Right to Clean Water (AllSides): Coverage from across the spectrum of a September 2026 ruling. In a 10 to 5 vote, the full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found no clearly established constitutional right to clean drinking water, and no constitutional duty for officials to share accurate water quality information. Residents can still pursue claims under state law or federal statutes like the Safe Drinking Water Act.Surveillance Pricing Update (Federal Trade Commission): The FTC's look at "surveillance pricing," where companies use personal data to set individualized prices. Unlike dynamic pricing, which responds to supply and demand, this can mean different customers pay different prices for the same purchase at the same time.Citizens United v. FEC and SpeechNow.org v. FEC (Federal Election Commission): The two 2010 court decisions that allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations and unions and paved the way for super PACs.Connect with Jerrad Christian:Christianforohio.comInstagramFacebookTikTok

In this episode of American Motherhood, we sit down with Daquan Neal, the Democratic candidate running to represent Ohio House District 39 in Montgomery County, to talk about the issues that matter to Ohio families.We dig into his priorities for the state, including a livable wage, universal free school lunch, and how tax policy affects working families. Daquan brings high energy to every part of this conversation, and he makes a different kind of ask: he's asking you to share his platform more than your wallet. Our goal isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's to give Ohio voters a chance to hear directly from candidates, understand their values, and get a better sense of how they will lead, regardless of how you vote.Connect with Daquan:Daquanforstaterep.orgInstagramFacebookTikTokResources for this conversation:We've included resources below to help you explore the issues discussed in this interview. They may provide additional context, support what was said, or offer information that adds nuance or a different perspective.Ohio Income Tax Rates (Ohio Department of Taxation): Ohio's official tax rate tables. Under the state budget signed in June 2025, Ohio moved to a flat income tax in 2026: no state income tax on the first $26,050, and a single 2.75% rate on income above that.Analysis of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Policy Center): A nonpartisan breakdown of the 2017 federal tax law. It found the law cut taxes on average for all income groups, with the largest cuts as a share of income going to higher-income households.Head Start Center Locator (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services): Find Head Start and Early Head Start programs near you. These federally funded programs offer free early learning, health, and family support services for eligible children from birth to age 5.Living Wage Calculator: Ohio (MIT): Estimates what it actually costs to support a household in Ohio, by county and family size, compared to minimum wage.Listen to the full conversation and follow our Ohio 2026 candidate interview series at americanmotherhood.com.