Tristan W. Rader

Civil Rights

Our state legislature should prioritize making voting accessible and straightforward. This means implementing automatic voter registration, expanding early and mail voting options, designating state election days as holidays, and allowing same-day voter registration. Learn more

It's imperative that we not only challenge and end racially biased voter ID and suppression laws in Ohio but also work towards strengthening the integrity of our electoral process. Every Ohioan, from those who have served their time to newcomers making Ohio their home, should have a voice in our state's decisions. Learn more

The journey towards LGBTQ rights is a pivotal civil rights endeavor of our era. It's imperative for the Ohio State Legislature to enact laws equivalent to the Equality Act, ensuring comprehensive protections for the LGBTQ community and their loved ones. Currently, there's an alarming absence of statewide mandates that safeguard LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in areas such as healthcare, housing, and employment. Beyond these foundational rights, our focus must extend to ensuring authentic representation for the LGBTQ community in political spaces. We must be vigilant against potential judicial decisions that might undermine LGBTQ rights under the guise of "religious freedom." Additionally, addressing the significant disparities that the LGBTQ community encounters in accessing affordable and inclusive healthcare is of utmost importance. Learn more

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

I am unwavering in my commitment to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. Our educational institutions must serve as nurturing environments where every student can thrive. Entrusting school discipline to armed law enforcement and prosecuting students for minor altercations perpetuates a cycle that funnels youth into the prison system, severely curtailing their potential. Rather than resorting to punitive measures like suspensions and expulsions, it's time we embrace more restorative and impactful approaches. Learn more

I strongly oppose mandatory minimum sentencing laws. The tactics deployed in the “War on Drugs” have been devastating, fragmenting families and communities. Such policies disproportionately impact Black and economically disadvantaged communities, and they impede efforts to address the current opioid epidemic in Cleveland. Those in our community grappling with addiction require comprehensive medical care, not harsh penal sentences. Learn more

Education

I’m fighting for equitable funding for our schools. That means a fair funding formula that guarantees that children will not be punished for growing up in the “wrong” zip code. I also support universal free pre-kindergarten, including early childcare, and dramatically expanding teacher-training programs with a focus on generating high-quality teachers with cultural competency among an increasingly diverse student population. Learn more

Public colleges and universities and vocational programs should be tuition-free and all existing student loan debt should be canceled. At the state level, we must fight for our children's rights to the best public school education possible, regardless of zip code. Learn more

Educational access for disabled students is another critical concern. We need to bolster funding for Ohio's disability education programs, ensuring that disabled students have the necessary resources in public schools. Learn more

Environment / Energy

I firmly believe that every Ohioan deserves clean air and safe drinking water. With this in mind, I am committed to ensuring complete funding for the replacement of all lead-contaminated water pipelines. It's untenable for any resident of Ohio to be deprived of clean water. We have the financial capacity to guarantee clean water for all, and it's imperative that we utilize these resources for the betterment of our state. Learn more

I will advocate for initiatives to transition our state to a 100% clean and renewable energy system. This includes the cessation of fracking, the accelerated adoption of solar, wind, and battery storage, and the decommissioning of coal fire power plants as soon as humanly possible. Such endeavors should center around communities that bear the brunt of environmental disparities—those dealing with tainted water supplies and high asthma prevalence. Learn more

As your state representative, I will be outspoken against fracking and will continue to highlight the importance of sustainable job opportunities. Learn more

Government Reform

The influence of big money in our state elections undermines the voice of the average Ohioan. We need comprehensive campaign finance reform at the state level to ensure that our democracy remains in the hands of the people and not the highest bidder. Learn more

Outdated regulations and laws in Ohio also hamper our democratic processes. It's high time we revisit and reform such regulations to ensure they serve the best interests of all Ohioans. Our state's democracy may have its flaws, but together, we have the tools and determination to create a more inclusive and reflective system for all. Learn more

Guns

Like many areas in our nation, Cleveland, Ohio, is grappling with a surge in gun violence. We urgently need measures such as an assault weapons ban, comprehensive background checks, an end to protections for corporate gun manufacturers, and decisive gun safety laws to halt the rampant mass shootings that have tragically become a norm in schools, places of worship, businesses, and cities throughout our country. Learn more

Healthcare

I remain steadfast in my conviction that healthcare is an essential right for every Ohioan. No resident of our state should be anxious about losing healthcare coverage due to preexisting conditions, changes in employment, immigration status, venturing into entrepreneurship, or transitioning out of their parent’s insurance coverage. Our healthcare infrastructure in Ohio is in dire need of reform. Implementing a comprehensive healthcare plan for all Ohioans would not only be cost-effective but would also be life-saving. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

I aim to move Ohio forward by bolstering our urban and suburban transit systems with enhanced bus frequencies, new routes, and a broadened light rail network, thus improving accessibility for millions. To achieve this, we must ensure that organizations like Cuyahoga County's Regional Transit Authority (RTA) receive ample state funding. We cannot continue to lag behind while other states progress, putting Ohioans at a disadvantage in reaching work and school. It's time to reject these failing policies and invest in transportation for our future's sake. Learn more

Social Services

All policy decisions in Ohio should be firmly anchored in a disability justice framework, recognizing its intertwined nature with racial, gender, and economic justice. This approach demands that we collaborate across various sectors and communities to ensure collective accessibility for all. Ableism within our state and its laws has marginalized disabled Ohioans, relegating them to the sidelines. Learn more

It's imperative that we champion the rights of our disabled community in Ohio by ensuring that they receive fair wages. We must close the loopholes that permit businesses to exploit disabled individuals with sub-minimum wages. Furthermore, we need to enhance and reform our state's disability assistance programs, ensuring that the benefits genuinely support their recipients and eliminate the restrictive regulations that confine disabled individuals to a cycle of poverty. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

I am unwavering in my commitment to back the rights of Ohioans to form and join unions, as every worker in our state deserves the benefits and protections that come with union representation. Learn more