Ryan Britt
From Ballotpedia
Ryan Britt (Republican Party) is running for election to the Ohio House of Representatives to represent District 35. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on May 5, 2026.
Britt completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Ryan Britt was born in Ravenna, Ohio. He graduated from Crestwood High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College in 2022. His career experience includes working as a legislative assistant in Congress, as a paralegal, as a night security guard, and as an advocate for at-risk youth.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Ohio House of Representatives elections, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on May 5, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 35
Ryan Britt is running in the Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 35 on May 5, 2026.
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ryan Britt completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Britt's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My name is Ryan Britt. I grew up in Robin Trailer Park on Route 82 in Mantua, Ohio, where I first learned the values of resilience, responsibility, and hard work. I went on to become valedictorian of Crestwood High School, serve as Student Body President at Bowdoin College, and receive the President’s Award for my service to the college.
Professionally, I have worked with at-risk youth as an advocate, served as a night security guard, worked as a paralegal at law firms, and most recently as a legislative assistant in Congress. In that role, I focused on labor, pensions, tax, healthcare, and veterans’ policy, which gave me a front-row seat to the challenges Americans face. While working full-time in Congress, I also earned a Master’s degree in Finance from Merrimack College, reinforcing my capacity to tackle Ohio’s economic and fiscal challenges.
My Northeast Ohio roots shaped who I am and continue to guide my priorities. I know what it means to work hard, live paycheck to paycheck, and fight for opportunities that are not guaranteed. Those experiences are why I am running for the Ohio House: to fight for families like the one I grew up in. My campaign is rooted in three principles: strengthening families, empowering workers, and supporting industry. I believe Ohio can be a place where strong families and strong industries grow side by side, creating opportunity for every community.- Ohio thrives when families do. I will fight to expand and responsibly fund the Child Tax Credit by tying it to work, training, or service, ensuring families have real support without new taxes. I will work to broaden childcare choices including faith-based, home, or licensed care so parents are not boxed into one-size-fits-all mandates. I will push to modernize local zoning and cut red tape to boost affordable starter homes, duplexes, and in-law suites. Strong families build a strong Ohio.
- Empowering hardworking Ohioans matters. I will stand up for Ohio jobs by expanding E-Verify to ensure fair wages and fair competition. I will fight to break down barriers to apprenticeships and career training by connecting schools, employers, and training centers, especially in rural areas, for careers in trades, manufacturing, energy, and more. I will champion workplaces that respect faith, family, and hard work, by backing the businesses that put families first and lead by example.
- Ohio can power America’s future. I will work to build on our momentum in defense manufacturing, aerospace, semiconductors, and advanced materials by aligning state tax and procurement with critical industries. I will fight to simplify licensing, permitting, and regulations so businesses can grow without needless delays. I will lead efforts to strengthen Ohio’s in-state preference in government contracting so taxpayer dollars support Ohio jobs and companies first, keeping our communities at the center of growth.
I am passionate about policies that strengthen families, empower workers, and support industry. Growing up in a working-class family, I know how much it matters to have policies that make life a little easier and opportunities more accessible. For families, I care about making it easier to raise children in stable communities through a stronger Child Tax Credit, broader childcare options, and housing reforms that make starter homes affordable. For workers, I focus on protecting jobs, expanding apprenticeships and training, and ensuring hard work leads to stability and opportunity. For industry, I am committed to advancing Ohio’s role in manufacturing, energy, and supply chains by cutting barriers and giving local businesses a fair shot.
I look up to my grandmother, who raised me with resilience and a strong sense of responsibility. She worked hard, sacrificed, and showed me that character matters more than circumstance. Her example of perseverance and faith continues to guide me today. I also admire leaders like Vice President J.D. Vance, who have shown that working-class backgrounds can shape a powerful voice for families and workers. Both remind me that real leadership means never forgetting where you came from and always standing up for the people you serve.
The most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, accountability, and humility. Integrity means being honest with voters and consistent in word and deed, even when it is not easy or politically convenient. Accountability means remembering that elected office is a trust given by the people, and every action should be guided by the question of whether it serves their interests. Humility means knowing that public service is not about recognition, but about responsibility to the people who make our communities strong and put a leader in position to advocate for them.
I also believe an elected official must have the courage to take difficult stands and the discipline to stay rooted in principle when it would be easier to go along with the crowd. At the same time, leaders must have compassion, the ability to see every person as worthy of dignity and respect regardless of background or political affiliation. Listening before speaking, seeking common ground, and treating political opponents not as enemies but as fellow citizens is essential for healthy democracy.
I also believe an elected official must have the courage to take difficult stands and the discipline to stay rooted in principle when it would be easier to go along with the crowd. At the same time, leaders must have compassion, the ability to see every person as worthy of dignity and respect regardless of background or political affiliation. Listening before speaking, seeking common ground, and treating political opponents not as enemies but as fellow citizens is essential for healthy democracy.
The core responsibility of a state legislator is to serve the people of their district faithfully, transparently, and effectively. That begins with listening to constituents, understanding their concerns, and carrying those voices into the legislative process. Representation is not only about imposing personal preferences, although having strong values and ideas guiding a legislator is critical, but also about ensuring that the everyday struggles of families, workers, and small businesses are heard and addressed.
Legislators have a duty to strengthen families, empower workers, and support industry by creating the conditions where Ohioans can thrive. That means focusing on policies that make raising a family affordable, that expand opportunities for good-paying jobs, and that support local businesses and industries so they can grow and compete. It also means making sure government itself is accountable, efficient, and respectful of the tax dollars entrusted to it.
The legacy I would like to leave behind is that I never let my circumstances as a kid define me, and that I was able to rise above them and fight for my family, my community, and the people that I love. I want people to remember me as someone who stayed true to his roots, worked hard no matter the odds. If my story can show even one person facing tough circumstances that they can rise above and make a difference, then I will have left behind something meaningful.
My very first job was working at ZipCityUSA, a trampoline park in Streetsboro, Ohio. I started there when I was 16 and worked for about two years, all the way until I graduated from high school. That job taught me the importance of responsibility and showing up on time. It was an early lesson in hard work that has stayed with me throughout every step of my career.
My favorite book is Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. It had a profound impact on me because it shows that even in the darkest circumstances, people can find purpose through responsibility, love, and hope. Frankl’s message is that we cannot always control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond and what we make of our lives.
That lesson speaks directly to my own story. Growing up, I faced challenges and hardships that could have defined me, but I chose to find purpose in working hard, serving others, and fighting for my community. Frankl’s message is a reminder that meaning is found not in comfort or ease, but in taking responsibility and dedicating ourselves to something greater than ourselves.
That lesson speaks directly to my own story. Growing up, I faced challenges and hardships that could have defined me, but I chose to find purpose in working hard, serving others, and fighting for my community. Frankl’s message is a reminder that meaning is found not in comfort or ease, but in taking responsibility and dedicating ourselves to something greater than ourselves.
If I could be any fictional character, I would choose Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. His story is one of redemption, resilience, and learning to rise above the circumstances he was born into. Zuko struggles, makes mistakes, and faces setbacks, but he never stops searching for his true purpose. What I admire most is that he ultimately chooses responsibility, loyalty, and service to others over anger and resentment.
That resonates with me because I know what it means to face challenges early in life and to keep pushing forward despite them. Like Zuko, I believe real strength comes not from having an easy path, but from choosing to grow, take responsibility, and use your experiences to fight for something bigger than yourself.
That resonates with me because I know what it means to face challenges early in life and to keep pushing forward despite them. Like Zuko, I believe real strength comes not from having an easy path, but from choosing to grow, take responsibility, and use your experiences to fight for something bigger than yourself.
The greatest struggle in my life has been navigating my own path without the support of my parents, who battled addiction. Growing up, that meant I had to learn responsibility and resilience earlier than most, often figuring things out on my own. It was not easy, but it shaped me into the person I am today.
Those challenges gave me a determination to rise above my circumstances, to work hard, and to create a better future for myself and those I love.
Those challenges gave me a determination to rise above my circumstances, to work hard, and to create a better future for myself and those I love.
The ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature should be one of respectful cooperation paired with healthy checks and balances. The governor has the responsibility to lead the executive branch and set a vision for the state, while the legislature has the responsibility to represent the people directly and make the law. Both branches serve the same citizens, and they should work together where possible to solve problems.
Legislators are not simply there to respond to the governor’s vision, but to bring their own vision and ideas shaped by the communities they represent. The people of Ohio deserve a legislature that advances its own priorities, holds the executive accountable, and ensures that the needs of everyday Ohioans are not overlooked. At the same time, progress is best made when the two branches find common ground, especially on issues like responsible budgeting, economic growth, and family support. Cooperation and accountability together make for effective government.
Legislators are not simply there to respond to the governor’s vision, but to bring their own vision and ideas shaped by the communities they represent. The people of Ohio deserve a legislature that advances its own priorities, holds the executive accountable, and ensures that the needs of everyday Ohioans are not overlooked. At the same time, progress is best made when the two branches find common ground, especially on issues like responsible budgeting, economic growth, and family support. Cooperation and accountability together make for effective government.
Ohio’s greatest challenges over the next decade will be strengthening families, protecting good-paying jobs, and ensuring our state remains competitive in a changing economy. Families face rising costs of living, limited childcare choices, and difficulty affording starter homes. These challenges directly impact family growth and stability. For workers, globalization, automation, and competition from other states create uncertainty. We need to invest in apprenticeships, workforce training, and trades so Ohioans can build lasting careers.
At the same time, Ohio must continue to grow critical industries like manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and semiconductors while cutting red tape that slows businesses down. Just as important, we must make Ohio a place where people want to move, build a life, and stay for the long term. That means fostering communities where families feel secure, opportunities are abundant, and businesses know they can succeed. These challenges are not just economic but cultural. The real test will be whether Ohio remains a state that honors family, faith, and hard work, or one that drifts from those values.
At the same time, Ohio must continue to grow critical industries like manufacturing, energy, aerospace, and semiconductors while cutting red tape that slows businesses down. Just as important, we must make Ohio a place where people want to move, build a life, and stay for the long term. That means fostering communities where families feel secure, opportunities are abundant, and businesses know they can succeed. These challenges are not just economic but cultural. The real test will be whether Ohio remains a state that honors family, faith, and hard work, or one that drifts from those values.
Experience in government or politics can be helpful, but it is not the only path to effective leadership. What matters most is whether a legislator understands the struggles that families face and has the judgment and principles to make sound decisions. Many of the best legislators are people who have worked real jobs, raised families, and lived the challenges that ordinary Ohioans go through every day. That kind of common-sense perspective is often more valuable than years in politics.
At the same time, some familiarity with the legislative process does help. My own experience as a legislative assistant in Congress gave me an inside view of how laws are made and how policy decisions impact everyday people. I also had the opportunity to advocate for legislation with other congressional offices, learning how to build bridges with members to move forward bills that would benefit constituents. That taught me the importance of coalition-building and practical problem-solving in advancing policy.
Yes. I believe building strong relationships with other legislators is essential to getting results for the people of Ohio. No legislator can accomplish much alone, and success comes from coalition-building and cooperation. Good relationships make it easier to find common ground, negotiate fairly, and advance policies that benefit families, workers, and local businesses.
During my time in Congress, I had the opportunity to advocate for legislation across offices and learned firsthand the importance of building bridges with members in order to move forward bills that deliver real results for constituents. That experience showed me that respect, trust, and communication are what make progress possible. If working together helps strengthen families and grow opportunity in Ohio, then it is not just beneficial, it is a duty.
During my time in Congress, I had the opportunity to advocate for legislation across offices and learned firsthand the importance of building bridges with members in order to move forward bills that deliver real results for constituents. That experience showed me that respect, trust, and communication are what make progress possible. If working together helps strengthen families and grow opportunity in Ohio, then it is not just beneficial, it is a duty.
I want to model myself after Vice President J.D. Vance because of the way he has brought a pro-family, pro-worker voice into national politics. I admire how he speaks to the struggles of working-class communities that have too often been ignored, and how he has been willing to challenge both parties when their policies fail ordinary families. Vice President Vance has pushed for expanding the Child Tax Credit, arguing that strong families are the foundation of a strong nation, and he has fought to revive American manufacturing so that good-paying jobs return to places like Ohio.
What I find most inspiring is that Vice President Vance has never forgotten his own roots and continues to connect policy to the real lives of the people he represents. That is the kind of legislator I want to be: someone who is not afraid to fight for families, who puts workers first, and who is serious about rebuilding opportunity in Ohio. Like him, I believe that conservatism must mean defending the dignity of work, strengthening the family, and ensuring that every community has a fair chance to succeed.
What I find most inspiring is that Vice President Vance has never forgotten his own roots and continues to connect policy to the real lives of the people he represents. That is the kind of legislator I want to be: someone who is not afraid to fight for families, who puts workers first, and who is serious about rebuilding opportunity in Ohio. Like him, I believe that conservatism must mean defending the dignity of work, strengthening the family, and ensuring that every community has a fair chance to succeed.
My full focus is on running for and serving in the Ohio House of Representatives. I believe some of the most important decisions affecting families, workers, and communities are made at the state level, and that is where I can make the biggest difference right now.
If I ever considered another role in the future, it would only be because I believed it was the best way to serve my community and state. For now, my commitment is to earning the trust of the voters of District 35 and working every day to strengthen families, empower workers, and support the industries that make Ohio strong.
If I ever considered another role in the future, it would only be because I believed it was the best way to serve my community and state. For now, my commitment is to earning the trust of the voters of District 35 and working every day to strengthen families, empower workers, and support the industries that make Ohio strong.
Yes. I believe the legislature should oversee and grant the use of emergency powers. Emergency authority must always be limited, temporary, and accountable to the people through their elected representatives.
The governor needs the ability to act quickly in a true crisis, but those actions should be reviewed and renewed by the legislature if they are to continue beyond the immediate emergency. That ensures a balance of power, prevents abuse, and protects the freedoms of Ohioans. Strong checks and balances are the best safeguard for liberty while still allowing the state to respond effectively when needed.
The governor needs the ability to act quickly in a true crisis, but those actions should be reviewed and renewed by the legislature if they are to continue beyond the immediate emergency. That ensures a balance of power, prevents abuse, and protects the freedoms of Ohioans. Strong checks and balances are the best safeguard for liberty while still allowing the state to respond effectively when needed.
The first bill I would introduce is a state-level Child Tax Credit, tied to work and responsibility, to give families meaningful relief without raising taxes. Families are the foundation of a strong Ohio, and too many are struggling with the costs of raising children. Even if this proposal would ultimately be folded into the next state budget, I would make it my first legislative priority to introduce, build support for, and push into the budget process.
I recognize that a version of this idea was debated during the last budget cycle but failed to advance because of disagreements over how it would be funded. I would take a different approach by looking for new pay-fors and offsets that make the credit sustainable without jeopardizing other essential services. My goal is to deliver real relief to families while keeping the state budget balanced and responsible.
I recognize that a version of this idea was debated during the last budget cycle but failed to advance because of disagreements over how it would be funded. I would take a different approach by looking for new pay-fors and offsets that make the credit sustainable without jeopardizing other essential services. My goal is to deliver real relief to families while keeping the state budget balanced and responsible.
One accomplishment I am most proud of is being the first in my family to graduate from college on a full scholarship. Growing up in a working-class family, it was not always clear that college would be possible for me. Earning that opportunity and then following through to graduate took hard work, discipline, and the support of those who believed in me. Walking across that stage was not just a personal milestone, but a moment that showed what is possible when you refuse to let your circumstances define you. It gave me the foundation to continue my education, to serve in Congress, and now to put that experience to work fighting for families like mine.
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Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate Ohio House of Representatives District 35 |
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Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 27, 2025
Current members of the Ohio House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Jason Stephens
Majority Leader:Marilyn John
Minority Leader:Dani Isaacsohn
Representatives
District 1
District 2
Latyna Humphrey (D)
District 3
Ismail Mohamed (D)
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
Allison Russo (D)
District 8
Anita Somani (D)
District 9
Munira Abdullahi (D)
District 10
Mark Sigrist (D)
District 11
Crystal Lett (D)
District 12
Brian Stewart (R)
District 13
Tristan Rader (D)
District 14
Sean Brennan (D)
District 15
Chris Glassburn (D)
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District 17
Mike Dovilla (R)
District 18
Juanita Brent (D)
District 19
Phil Robinson (D)
District 20
District 21
Eric Synenberg (D)
District 22
Darnell Brewer (D)
District 23
Dan Troy (D)
District 24
Dani Isaacsohn (D)
District 25
Cecil Thomas (D)
District 26
Vacant
District 27
Rachel Baker (D)
District 28
Karen Brownlee (D)
District 29
Cindy Abrams (R)
District 30
Mike Odioso (R)
District 31
Bill Roemer (R)
District 32
Jack Daniels (R)
District 33
Veronica Sims (D)
District 34
Derrick Hall (D)
District 35
Steve Demetriou (R)
District 36
Andrea White (R)
District 37
Tom Young (R)
District 38
Desiree Tims (D)
District 39
Phil Plummer (R)
District 40
Rodney Creech (R)
District 41
Erika White (D)
District 42
Elgin Rogers (D)
District 43
Michele Grim (D)
District 44
Josh Williams (R)
District 45
Jennifer Gross (R)
District 46
Thomas Hall (R)
District 47
Diane Mullins (R)
District 48
Scott Oelslager (R)
District 49
Jim Thomas (R)
District 50
Matthew Kishman (R)
District 51
Jodi Salvo (R)
District 52
Gayle Manning (R)
District 53
Joe Miller (D)
District 54
Kellie Deeter (R)
District 55
Michelle Teska (R)
District 56
Adam Mathews (R)
District 57
Jamie Callender (R)
District 58
Lauren McNally (D)
District 59
Tex Fischer (R)
District 60
Brian Lorenz (R)
District 61
Beth Lear (R)
District 62
Jean Schmidt (R)
District 63
Adam Bird (R)
District 64
Nick Santucci (R)
District 65
David Thomas (R)
District 66
Sharon Ray (R)
District 67
Melanie Miller (R)
District 68
District 69
Kevin Miller (R)
District 70
Brian Lampton (R)
District 71
Levi Dean (R)
District 72
Heidi Workman (R)
District 73
Jeff LaRe (R)
District 74
Bernard Willis (R)
District 75
Haraz Ghanbari (R)
District 76
Marilyn John (R)
District 77
Meredith Craig (R)
District 78
Matt Huffman (R)
District 79
District 80
Johnathan Newman (R)
District 81
James Hoops (R)
District 82
Roy Klopfenstein (R)
District 83
Ty Mathews (R)
District 84
Angela King (R)
District 85
Tim Barhorst (R)
District 86
Tracy Richardson (R)
District 87
Riordan McClain (R)
District 88
Gary Click (R)
District 89
D.J. Swearingen (R)
District 90
Justin Pizzulli (R)
District 91
Bob Peterson (R)
District 92
Mark Johnson (R)
District 93
Jason Stephens (R)
District 94
Kevin Ritter (R)
District 95
Ty Moore (R)
District 96
Ron Ferguson (R)
District 97
Adam Holmes (R)
District 98
Mark Hiner (R)
District 99
Sarah Fowler (R)
Republican Party (65)
Democratic Party (33)
Vacancies (1)
