Aaron Godfrey
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Aaron Godfrey (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Ohio's 16th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Godfrey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Godfrey earned his B.A. in physics from Miami University in 2008 and his M.S. in physics from Miami University in 2010. His professional experience includes working as a physicist. He previously worked as an engineer for a contractor to the U.S. Navy from 2014 to 2017 and as an adjunct instructor in 2014.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Ohio's 16th Congressional District election, 2020
Ohio's 16th Congressional District election, 2020 (April 28 Democratic primary)
Ohio's 16th Congressional District election, 2020 (April 28 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Ohio District 16
Incumbent Anthony Gonzalez defeated Aaron Godfrey in the general election for U.S. House Ohio District 16 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Anthony Gonzalez (R) | 63.2 | 247,335 |
 | Aaron Godfrey (D)  | 36.8 | 144,071 | |
| Total votes: 391,406 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Ohio District 16
Aaron Godfrey defeated Ronald Karpus in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Ohio District 16 on April 28, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Aaron Godfrey | 67.7 | 32,024 |
| Ronald Karpus | 32.3 | 15,244 | ||
| Total votes: 47,268 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 16
Incumbent Anthony Gonzalez advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 16 on April 28, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Anthony Gonzalez | 100.0 | 43,026 |
| Total votes: 43,026 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Ohio District 16
Anthony Gonzalez defeated Susan Moran Palmer in the general election for U.S. House Ohio District 16 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Anthony Gonzalez (R) | 56.7 | 170,029 |
 | Susan Moran Palmer (D) | 43.3 | 129,681 | |
| Total votes: 299,710 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Ohio District 16
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Ohio District 16 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Susan Moran Palmer | 34.6 | 14,507 |
 | Grant Goodrich | 28.1 | 11,758 | |
 | TJ Mulloy | 15.5 | 6,511 | |
 | Mark Dent | 9.4 | 3,932 | |
| Aaron Godfrey | 7.9 | 3,313 | |
| John Wilson | 4.5 | 1,876 | ||
| Total votes: 41,897 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 16
Anthony Gonzalez defeated Christina Hagan and Michael Grusenmeyer in the Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 16 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Anthony Gonzalez | 53.1 | 34,327 |
 | Christina Hagan | 40.8 | 26,380 | |
| Michael Grusenmeyer | 6.1 | 3,977 | ||
| Total votes: 64,684 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kit Seryak (R)
- Darrell Hartman (R)
- Thomas Patton (R)
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Aaron Godfrey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Godfrey's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I am a 33 year-old physicist, first-generation college graduate, and son of a working-class family. I believe the government should be working for the people, and I believe that it rarely does that anymore - that it has been captured by the donor class and the moneyed elite. I want to to go to DC to make it work for the people again: to help create a government that ensures all Americans have healthcare, a clean & protected environment, access to education - and much more. I want Ohio's 16th District to have a voice again - something they do not have with the incumbent.
- Healthcare is a human right, and it should be accessible and affordable to everyone in this country.
- We must protect the environment so that our kids and grandkids can live in a world with clean air and water.
- Everyone deserves an education that doesn't burden them with lifelong debt they can never escape.
Healthcare, education, environment, science/tech, renewable energy, public transit, equality, LGBTQ+ protections, worker's rights, fair wages
I have at least three congressional heroes: Senators Sherrod Brown, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders. As far as whose example I'd like to follow, I think it'd be both Sen. Brown and Sen. Warren: Sherrod, because he preaches a pragmatic progressivism that wins in Ohio and I think resonates with the American people as a whole (hence the push to get him to run for President). Sen. Warren, because she is a policy wonk who relies on experts, details, and logical solutions to issues facing this country (which, as a scientist, I certainly appreciate).
I endeavor to follow the example set by all three to always fight for the people, to never take 'no' for an answer, and to never lose sight of who you work for, why, and going into work every day knowing you are there for one reason: to make people's lives better.
I endeavor to follow the example set by all three to always fight for the people, to never take 'no' for an answer, and to never lose sight of who you work for, why, and going into work every day knowing you are there for one reason: to make people's lives better.
I can't think of a single book or film or essay, but I'll say that I've always been a history buff, and I think that knowing the history of our nation can inform us a lot about where we are today and give us an idea on how to proceed in the future. A lot of these things from the last 200+ years are ingrained in our national psyche, so in my opinion, it always benefits to read a good book about our history! To that end, I recently finished "Almost a Miracle", by John E. Firling. It's an excellent book that covers the American Revolutionary War and how it was won, and how we came so close to losing it so many times. It's absolutely fascinating and a great read!
Honesty, integrity, and incorruptibility. Stand for what you believe in, and don't buckle to malign forces. Tell it to the people straight, so they can be informed, and we can move forward together with clear eyes. Refuse to be bought, because the principles that guide your run for office are more important than money, fame, notoriety, etc.
Work ethic. Do your job. You were put there for a reason. Act in good faith and work for the people who voted for you.
Work ethic. Do your job. You were put there for a reason. Act in good faith and work for the people who voted for you.
Represent the people, and work for them! You are their employee, not the President's, and you don't owe any President anything. Work for the people, not your ambitions, not your bank account, *the people*.
I want to make this country a better place for everyone who lives here, but I especially want to make it a better place for people who have a disadvantaged beginning. I was born in a lower-middle class family, but as I grew up, our fortunes got worse and worse, and by the time I went to college, my dad had diabetes, we couldn't afford the treatment, and every semester was a struggle to find the money to pay for it - and as a result, I'll have a lifetime of debt I can never escape. I could go on, into my dad's story and my family history, but suffice to say: no one should have to choose between medicine and putting food on the table, no one should have to go into a lifetime of debt for an education, and this country in general needs to be made to work for the people instead of the corporations that buy Congress and dictate the legislation it writes right now. At the end of the day, though - if I make this country a better place for the working & middle class, if I make their healthcare in any way more accessible or more affordable, if I make it possible for every kid in the 16th and in this country as a whole to get the education they want without a lifetime of debt - then I will die a happy man.
I was delivering newspapers during the Gore/Bush election in 2000 - Gore clearly winning, the SCOTUS giving the election to Bush - and being outraged (at 14 years old!) that "hanging chads" were a thing - the voter's intent was absolutely crystal clear! It seemed an awful abuse of power for everyone involved in that debacle to decide the election the way they did, and it still pains me to think about how much better the country - and world - would be, had the people's voices been heard in 2000, and Al Gore were sworn in in 2001.
My first job was at Midway Cinemas in Elyria, OH. I worked there in my senior year of high school, and worked there between semesters through my third year of undergraduate college.
My first job in my field, post-college, was at Energizer Household Products, where I was a Senior Technologist. I was the sole full-time employee working in their renewable energy products. Unfortunately, I was laid off a year and a half after starting when they started significantly scaling back their operations - including R&D, where I worked.
My first job in my field, post-college, was at Energizer Household Products, where I was a Senior Technologist. I was the sole full-time employee working in their renewable energy products. Unfortunately, I was laid off a year and a half after starting when they started significantly scaling back their operations - including R&D, where I worked.
Guns, Germs, and Steel, by Jared Diamond. I highly recommend this book to anyone with any sort of interest in anthropology or the evolution of human societies. It's a fascinating look at how some civilizations wound up being dominant over others, and the role that technology played in that, and how where people settled wound up making a big difference, as it dictated things like the types of crops and livestock that were available for domestication. It's utterly fascinating, and I highly recommend it!
The relatively small size of our constituency makes it easier for us to remain in contact with the people, and allow us to be more reflective of their will on the issues facing DC. And as Representative, I would do everything I could in order to maintain that connection with the people: I would hold town halls as frequently as possible when on recess, and allow remote participation (given the sprawling length of our district, this feels necessary!).
Also, having the power of the purse - the right to set spending within the country - gives the US House immense power in determining the priorities set by the federal government. This means, as a Representative for Ohio's 16th District, I will be able to more accurately represent the will of the people in our district, while also having a say in budget appropriations that benefit our district.
Also, having the power of the purse - the right to set spending within the country - gives the US House immense power in determining the priorities set by the federal government. This means, as a Representative for Ohio's 16th District, I will be able to more accurately represent the will of the people in our district, while also having a say in budget appropriations that benefit our district.
Yes and no. For any job, I think it matters to hire people knowledgeable and experienced. But this job is a little different: the US house is supposed to represent the people, after all, and 60% of the people are not lawyers, with a majority of the remainders businessmen. So if we really want to have a dynamic and representative body as a whole, we need people from all walks of life - including scientists.
It is important, however, to have a knowledge of the issues. And as someone who has been following politics my entire life, I have a deep understanding of many of the important issues facing our country, and ideas on how to address them. Furthermore, my experience as a scientists assures the voters and my future constituents that I not only believe in science, but would utilize any experts at my disposal when it comes to legislating, and that I would not discount science and scientists the way so many people in DC do today.
It is important, however, to have a knowledge of the issues. And as someone who has been following politics my entire life, I have a deep understanding of many of the important issues facing our country, and ideas on how to address them. Furthermore, my experience as a scientists assures the voters and my future constituents that I not only believe in science, but would utilize any experts at my disposal when it comes to legislating, and that I would not discount science and scientists the way so many people in DC do today.
Corruption, plain and simple. Lobbyists and their grip on DC continue to dictate the issues heard in DC and the solutions proposed to those issues, while hyperpartisan Representatives in gerrymandered districts maintain a grip on power due to districts unfairly drawn. Until we deal with corruption - in all its forms - it will be hard to overcome any of the other issues facing the nation. Gerrymandering is a great example of this problem: when politicians get to draw their districts, they entrench partisanship and dilute the voice of the people: a problem we know all too well here in the 16th District.
In office, I would work closely with other anti-corruption advocates, such as Sen. Warren, to pass legislation outlawing gerrymandering, limiting lobbyists, and beyond - to ensure our government works for people, not a bought Representative's corporate owners.
In office, I would work closely with other anti-corruption advocates, such as Sen. Warren, to pass legislation outlawing gerrymandering, limiting lobbyists, and beyond - to ensure our government works for people, not a bought Representative's corporate owners.
I would like to be on the following committees: Agriculture; Education and Labor; Ethics; Science, Space, and Technology; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Select Committee on the Climate Crisis; and Energy and Natural Resources. I think I could do my district a good deal of service on these committees specifically, particularly paired with my own expertise, but I will take advantage of any opportunity to represent my district in any committees that may offer me the role.
Yes. We need to remain accountable to the people. Current elected officials may gripe at having to campaign so often, but it forces us to stay honest.
I am against them. They favor those with a lot of resources to run for office, and those who want to run candidates who support their views. The ultimate term limit is the people's vote when it comes to the US House - hence the short terms in office. If we want to enforce 'term limits' for Representatives, the best course of action is to mandate fair districts so that Representatives that lose their connection to the people are voted out by the people, not by an arbitrary term limit decided by some other politician.
Yes, but I suspect that would be years down the road. I would like to join the leadership in some form of an advisory role when it comes to issues relating to science, technology, energy, climate, the environment, and renewable energy.
Sen. Sherrod Brown was in the US House at one point - so I'll go for him, given all I said about him in a previous question.
This probably sounds cliche, but I swear it's true: a while ago, a voter emailed me to tell me that they didn't have much, but they donated what they had left to my campaign - because they thought I was talking about the issues that mattered most, that I represented the change we needed in DC, and they believed in my candidacy. When I looked up the donation and saw the amount, the words from the email were hanging in the air. That it was the last of their money till payday, that they barely get by, but they thought it was worthy to give those few bucks to me. That stuck with me, and I still think about that person and that email today. I've been there, I've been where they are - were, hopefully - not knowing how you'll get to the next paycheck, not knowing if you have a job next week, not knowing if you'll even have a roof over your head in a month. This person's single email, and their small donation, has had a greater impact on me than a lot of what I've encountered on the trail. It was a moment that forced me to confront how big of a deal it is to run for office, to stand up for what you know is right, to try to give a voice to countless others who have walked in your footsteps and dealt with the same issues you are - to try and make this a government that works for people.
I hope I can do them proud, and everyone else who has ever believed in a candidate before. This is for all of us.
I hope I can do them proud, and everyone else who has ever believed in a candidate before. This is for all of us.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Aaron Godfrey participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 10, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Aaron Godfrey's responses follow below.[2]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1) Campaign Finance |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | Campaign finance is the biggest point for me, which might sound odd, but it stops progress on almost everything else. No matter how passionate I am about fixing healthcare - I lost my dad to diabetes thanks to our inability to afford his medicine when it mattered - it is blocked by special interests buying members of Congress. And the same goes for college debt. It doesn't matter that a generation is crushed in debt, that they have to put off buying homes or having families, that that debt may never actually go away: because Sallie Mae (or Navient or whatever) has bought enough people in DC to stop anything meaningful from happening. That has to stop.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Aaron Godfrey answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
| “ | Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Sherrod Brown are two huge role models for me. The first, because his authenticity and his ability to inspire an entire generation and his unending championing of the people. The second for much of the same reason, but also for more personal note: my interest in politics was first piqued when he came to my High School and spoke to us when he was still a Representative in the US House. I also greatly admire Sen. Elizabeth Warren and her steadfastness when it comes to fighting for the people, and her role in setting up the CFPB.[4] | ” |
| “ | Honesty, integrity, authenticity.[4] | ” |
| “ | Accountability to the people and faithfully representing them in office.[4] | ” |
| “ | I want to be a part of big solutions to big problems. I want to help enact Medicare-for-All, and to help fix the Affordable Care Act in the meantime. I want to fix the college debt crisis and enable a new generation of homeowners, free to start their families when they want - not when their debt permits. I want to help create the right incentives to boost green energy and help take our country off its fossil fuel dependency. But more than anything else, I want to let the people know their voices can be heard, and as long as I am in office, they will be. That at least our corner of Congress will have as many town halls as possible, and at least our Representative will maintain high standards for transparency and accountability.[4] | ” |
| “ | I hesitate to call her a 'thing', but my dog, Gypsy. She's a border collie mix I've had by my side since graduate school, and so she's been with me through a lot of what turned out to shape the kind of man I am now. Grad school, my dad's death, my close call with homelessness, my working for the Navy, and my coming back home to work on the space program. ""Man's best friend"" is absolutely a sentiment I share when it comes to dogs.[4] | ” |
| “ | Sometimes, sometimes not. We need a wide variety of perspectives in all branches of government. I think my background in the sciences brings something sorely lacking and highly valuable to the institution; and I think we could do with a lot fewer lawyers and businessmen.[4] | ” |
| “ | Two things in particular: climate change and the student loan debt crisis.[4] | ” |
| “ | Sherrod Brown & Bernie Sanders[4] | ” |
Biographical submission
Godfrey submitted the following campaign themes through Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form:
| “ |
I'm running because so many of the issues that have affected my life while growing up continue to be a problem today, having only been exacerbated in the intervening time. I know what it's like to see the effect of stagnant wages, as $100 got our family fewer groceries every week. I know what it's like to lose a loved one to a broken healthcare system - my dad had to decide between life-saving medicine or feeding his family and putting a roof over our heads. Now, I'm here and he's not. I know what it's like to be crippled with a lifetime of debt for the crime of being poor and wanting an education. In a district drawn like the 16th, we need a candidate who can reach across the aisle and relate at a human level. Someone who can ask the voter, ""what issues matter to you?"" and be able to relate immediately. In office, I will fight to address the major issues that continue to plague the working class. I will fight for a living wage and universal healthcare. I will fight to make college more accessible and affordable, to remove the income barrier to achieving a higher education. And for the students who don't want to go to college, I'll do everything I can to ensure tradeschools are available throughout the district and beyond so that they can be adequately trained for a well-paying Union job.[4] |
” |
| —Aaron Godfrey[1] | ||
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted on Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form on March 26, 2018
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Aaron Godfrey's responses," April 10, 2018
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
Senators
Jon Husted (R)
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Michael Rulli (R)
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Max Miller (R)
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Warren Davidson (R)
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Marcy Kaptur (D)
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Michael Turner (R)
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Shontel Brown (D)
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Troy Balderson (R)
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Emilia Sykes (D)
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Mike Carey (R)
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