Haraz N. Ghanbari is on the Ohio Voter Guide

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Important Dates to Know:

  • October 5: Deadline to register to vote
  • October 6: Absentee Voting by Mail and Early In-Person Voting begins (view early in-person voting hours)
  • October 27: Deadline to request an absentee ballot (must be received by your board of elections by 8:30 pm)
  • November 3: Election Day 
    - Vote in-person at your polling location, open between 6:30 am to 7:30 pm on Election Day
    - Return an absentee ballot to your board of elections by 7:30 pm to be counted)

Helpful Links:

Incumbent
Republican
Haraz N. Ghanbari
Haraz N. Ghanbari
Background and Bio
Haraz Ghanbari lives in Perrysburg, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Journalism from Kent State University, graduated from the U.S. Naval War College’s Command and Staff Program, and earned a Master’s degree from the University of Toledo. Ghanbari began his career as an Army National Guard photojournalist and worked as an Associated Press photojournalist and White House press corps member. He then served as military and media liaison and later director of military and veteran affairs at the University of Toledo. Ghanbari served on Perrysburg City Council from 2016 until his appointment to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2019. He lives in Perrysburg with his wife, Kim, a teacher, and their two children.
Policy Issue Summaries
  • Economy and Taxes: No information or stances on the issue of the economy or taxes were identified in public campaign materials at the time of this publication.
  • Education: Ghanbari has supported legislation that expanded state funding for private school vouchers, including universal vouchers, and increased funding for K-12 public schools.
  • Healthcare: In announcing his 2026 re-election campaign, Ghanbari cited legislation he passed “to improve and fund PTSD coverage for law enforcement and first responders.” No other stances on healthcare were identified in public campaign materials at the time of this publication.
Endorsements
  • Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio
  • Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters
  • Ohio Education Association
  • Ohio Federation of Teachers
  • Buckeye Firearms
  • National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund - A Rated
  • Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Ohio State Legislative Board
  • Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA/AFSCME)
  • Local Union 8 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
  • ACT Ohio Affiliated Construction Trades
  • Insulators Local 45
  • Ohio Chamber of Commerce PAC
  • Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE/AFSCME)
  • Northwest Ohio Building Trades
  • Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Agriculture for Good Government Political Action Committee (OFBF-AGGPAC)
  • Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union 33
  • National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Ohio
  • Ohio Right to Life Political Action Committee
  • Ohio Teamsters
  • Greater Northwest Ohio AFL-CIO
  • Laborers’ Local 500
  • Communications Workers of America Local 4319
  • Ohio State Medical Association Political Action Committee (OSMAPAC)
  • Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
  • Ohio Manufacturers’ Association
  • Central Midwest Carpenters Local Union No. 351
  • Ohio Nurses Association
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6
Background and Bio
Haraz Ghanbari lives in Perrysburg, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Journalism from Kent State University, graduated from the U.S. Naval War College’s Command and Staff Program, and earned a Master’s degree from the University of Toledo. Ghanbari began his career as an Army National Guard photojournalist and worked as an Associated Press photojournalist and White House press corps member. He then served as military and media liaison and later director of military and veteran affairs at the University of Toledo. Ghanbari served on Perrysburg City Council from 2016 until his appointment to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2019. He lives in Perrysburg with his wife, Kim, a teacher, and their two children.
Policy Issue Summaries
  • Economy and Taxes: No information or stances on the issue of the economy or taxes were identified in public campaign materials at the time of this publication.
  • Education: Ghanbari has supported legislation that expanded state funding for private school vouchers, including universal vouchers, and increased funding for K-12 public schools.
  • Healthcare: In announcing his 2026 re-election campaign, Ghanbari cited legislation he passed “to improve and fund PTSD coverage for law enforcement and first responders.” No other stances on healthcare were identified in public campaign materials at the time of this publication.
Endorsements
  • Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio
  • Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters
  • Ohio Education Association
  • Ohio Federation of Teachers
  • Buckeye Firearms
  • National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund - A Rated
  • Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Ohio State Legislative Board
  • Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA/AFSCME)
  • Local Union 8 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
  • ACT Ohio Affiliated Construction Trades
  • Insulators Local 45
  • Ohio Chamber of Commerce PAC
  • Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE/AFSCME)
  • Northwest Ohio Building Trades
  • Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Agriculture for Good Government Political Action Committee (OFBF-AGGPAC)
  • Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union 33
  • National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Ohio
  • Ohio Right to Life Political Action Committee
  • Ohio Teamsters
  • Greater Northwest Ohio AFL-CIO
  • Laborers’ Local 500
  • Communications Workers of America Local 4319
  • Ohio State Medical Association Political Action Committee (OSMAPAC)
  • Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
  • Ohio Manufacturers’ Association
  • Central Midwest Carpenters Local Union No. 351
  • Ohio Nurses Association
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6
Last Updated:2026-10-15
Innovation Ohio Education Fund

Paid for by Innovation Ohio Education Fund.

The nonpartisan summaries of candidates’ backgrounds and issue summaries within this voter guide were compiled from publicly available campaign materials and statements, candidate websites and social media accounts, and news coverage of the candidates and election.

Information presented within this resource is for educational and informational purposes and does not reflect the views or positions of Innovation Ohio Education Fund. Inclusion in this guide does not reflect an endorsement of, or opposition to, any candidate or political party.