In episode 197, we sit down with two candidates fighting for rural Ohio’s future: Katie Koehler Wagner, running for Ohio House District 80, and Colton Stidam, running for House District 76. Both are pushing back on a statehouse they say has left working families and small communities behind.
Katie Koehler Wagner is running for Ohio House District 80, which includes Troy, Piqua, and goes all the way west to the Indiana border. Katie is a 38-year-old mother, teacher, and lifelong advocate for doing what’s right. She and her husband are proud to raise their four children here, instilling in them the values of hard work and community service.
Katie never had political ambitions. But she’s watched life get harder for her neighbors, students, and family while politicians fail to deliver real solutions. After listening to people across Miami and Darke counties, she heard the same frustrations again and again: decisions made behind closed doors, and local voices ignored.
Staying on the sidelines felt like a betrayal of her values and her children’s future. So she turned to civic engagement, helping people understand how local and state decisions shape their lives — work that led to The Village, a Facebook community where neighbors share information, organize, and support each other.
Now she wants to bring that voice to Columbus with H.O.P.E.: affordable and accessible Healthcare, Opportunities to prosper, good Public schools, and affordable Energy for homes and businesses.
Katie Resources:
Social Media
Colton Stidam is running for State Representative in Ohio’s 76th District, which includes parts of Richland county like Mansfield, Bellville, Shelby and the surrounding areas. Colton, 29, was born and raised in Shelby, Ohio, in a proud union family. Today, Colton works in IT for the Mansfield City School District alongside his wife, who is a science teacher in the district. They live in Mansfield.
A strong advocate for his community, Colton has spent years volunteering with local organizations that provide food, resources, and support to underserved residents. He has also spearheaded community cleanup projects, working hands on to make his community a better place for everyone.
Colton’s involvement in local politics began with the Shelby Area Democratic Club, where he became an active voice at community events and a well known presence at protests and demonstrations. He later joined the Richland County Young Democrats, where he was elected Vice President of Membership.
Colton is running on a simple belief: Ohio should work for everyone, not just those at the top. He believes in fully funding our public schools, protecting and strengthening workers’ right to organize through their unions, and making everyday life more affordable for working families across Ohio.
Colton Resources:
We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️
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This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:
