Robert Leist

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Robert Leist

Libertarian Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Coshocton, Ohio

Religion

Methodist

Profession

Maintenance coordinator

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

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Personal Facebook

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Robert Leist (Libertarian Party) ran for election to the Ohio House of Representatives to represent District 72. He lost as a write-in in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Leist completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Leist was born on August 3, 1969, in Coshocton, Ohio. He attended classes at Muskingum Area Technical College. His professional experience includes working as a maintenance coordinator at Kraft-Heinz. He also has worked as a union steward, served on the Coshocton County bike path committee, the Coshocton Board of Zoning Appeals, the Central Committee for the Libertarian Party of Ohio, and as a State and National Delegate for the Libertarian Party.

Elections

2020

See also: Ohio House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Ohio House of Representatives District 72

Incumbent Larry Householder defeated Marci McCaulay, Jay Conrad, Robert Leist, and Kaitlyn Clark in the general election for Ohio House of Representatives District 72 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Householder (R)	71.0	31,707
	Submit photo	Marci McCaulay (D) (Write-in)	13.0	5,822
		Jay Conrad (R) (Write-in)	9.1	4,046
		Robert Leist (L) (Write-in)	5.2	2,312
	Submit photo	Kaitlyn Clark (Independent) (Write-in)	1.7	742

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 44,629
= 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 Ohio House of Representatives District 72

Incumbent Larry Householder advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 72 on April 28, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Householder	100.0	11,142

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,142
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

To view Leist's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Robert Leist completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Leist's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Robert Leist. I am 51 years old and a lifelong resident of Coshocton.

I'm a graduate of Coshocton High School and attended Muskingum Area Technical College. Employed at Kraft Heinz for 31 years, I have had the privilege of serving as a Union Steward for many years across that time. I currently serve there as a Maintenance Coordinator.

The past few years I have been gaining vast experience within the political realm by working on several campaigns and serving on the Central Committee for the Libertarian Party of Ohio. I have also served as a State and National Delegate for Libertarian Party. Last November, I was a candidate for Coshocton City Council At-Large in a tight five-way race. I currently serve on the Coshocton County Bike Path Commmittee and the Coshocton Board of

Zoning Appeals.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am the "Blue-Collar Candidate" and fully understand the challenges faced by working class families. I will bring Real, Relatable Representation to the 72nd District of Ohio.
• I am the only write-in candidate endorsed by a state party and the only one with experience petitioning a delegation floor.
• I will work tirelessly to end the corruption that created the HB6 fiasco, reach across to both sides of the aisle to find compromise, and forge solutions that will lead to a brighter future for Ohioans.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

You have my resolute pledge that I will uphold The Constitution of the United States and The Constitution of Ohio. Our rights are precious and I will fight relentlessly to retain them.

I will cultivate an economic environment that protects small businesses, attracts manufacturing, and continues to
support the farm and agricultural industry. Ohio farmers can be proud that they contribute
over $100 billion to our economy. We must continue to support farming in Ohio.

I have attended several drug crisis conferences involving health care professionals, law enforcement, clergy, and those fighting addiction. The general consensus has been that we need to find solutions by working with the pillars of each community. Creating a forum of law enforcement, churches, therapists, and doctors could offer a unified front of support for affected families.

I will ensure that the education is a priority. Every child is entitled to a quality education and it's the right of the parent to choose those avenues.

Expansion of Digital Infrastructure ties everything together. We need high-speed broadband internet available to everyone. Within the last several months, many children found themselves without adequate

internet service to finish their school year. It is absolutely unacceptable and we must remedy that. This also affords a greater opportunity for people to work remotely. In the long run, this will improve Educational, Occupational, and Recreational opportunities.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

First and foremost, the ability and willingness to listen. Unfortunately, it seems there has been an extreme disconnect between representatives and those they have sworn to represent. So many people state that they feel ignored, or merely paid lip service with form letter replies. This is people's perception and it is up to those who are elected to change it. I have very much enjoyed the interaction I've had with the public, while campaigning. I look forward to continuing to keep that level of contact. This seat is not about one person, it's about the entire district. Together, we prosper.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Quite simply, I want to leave the world a much better place than when I found it. I started becoming more interested in politics about 8 years ago, after my daughter was born. I looked at the state of things within my community and seen a level of degradation that hadn't occurred to me at the level I perceived. Having a child definitely changes one's perspective and I'm sure most parents would define that as a watershed moment in their lives. I wanted my daughter to have the same opportunities for success and happiness that I had, more even. I looked around and listened to my neighbors more intently. Their quality of life had slipped. Taxes had risen, salaries stagnated, and their bills continued to have added surcharges. I could no longer sit by and ignore that these things were not addressed. I've built a network, shared experiences, and gained wisdom. The time has come to apply it for the good of many communities. I want my legacy to be that of making those communities successful and filled with content, active citizens. I want to be the inspiration behind bringing legislative seats back to the people. We need relatable representation and together we can reinvigorate the participation of the people. Together...... together changing the world. What a legacy that would be. Please join me.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was the same that many young people share. I delivered newspapers to many in my small town. If I remember correctly, I started the job at around 12 1/2 years old. I carried newspapers until I turned 16 and could then work at a local supermarket. I believe that delivering newspapers helped instill in me a sense of dedication to people. I had around 200 people that depended on me, so they might stay informed on the events of the day. I'd have to wager that this early occupation also expanded my ability to listen. Quite often I'd be stopped by one of my customers for casual conversation. Most of the time it was a senior citizen that I knew rarely had contact with other folks. I've always been glad I spent time in those conversations. There are points of wisdom that I've carried from each of them, to this very day. I thank them for imparting it upon me. That is exactly how I view my conversations with my friends and neighbors in Ohio's 72nd District. I have learned much and I'm eager to continue. I am an amalgamation of everyone I've met.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Signs (Tesla version)
I think I often reflect upon it. It makes me question what is really "right" in the world. We all get stuck within our perspectives. Our life experiences culminate to form those perspectives and most of the time they are a bit biased. We need to step outside of our box and look at things from a different angle. I believe that is how we best grow as an individual.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do believe that it is very beneficial for a state legislator to have some experience in government or politics. I don't think it has to be a prerequisite, but it is beneficial. The experience of proposing and negotiating terms of a bill within a legislative body can be the difference in fully serving constituents. My experience in such is that of a delegate to state and national conventions, petitioning delegates in crafting bylaws and electing candidates to committees.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

I believe it should be as it was intended, a system of checks and balances. There are times where the governor may make executive decisions afforded to him by the legislature, but such actions must be reviewed and debated by the legislature afterwards. Were the executive decisions deemed out of order, then measures must be drawn to rectify the actions and prevent a repeat occurrence.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I am inclined to look towards the Brennan Center's plan of an Independent Redistricting Commission, with full transparency and abundant opportunity for public input. The approach of 5 representatives from the majority party, 5 from the minor party, and 5 with affiliation from neither making up the committee appears even-handed and fair. I also feel it a necessity that these seats are filled by people who hold no current office within the State legislature, nor be a family member of anyone within that legislature. We had taken a step in the right direction with redistricting, but we still have a way to go. It is important to develop a committee that does not have strong ulterior motives to skew the lines of our districts.

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