Christina Collins kicks off Ohio House campaign at Cool Beans Cafe

MEDINA — Christina Collins, speaking to supporters Saturday, marveled at how just five days earlier she became the Democratic candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives in the 66th District. It happened after Mike Oliver, who was the unopposed write-in Democratic candidate for the seat, withdrew from the race. The Medina County Democratic Party Central Commission quickly chose Collins to replace him. Collins said that revised district boundaries drawn earlier this year by the Ohio Redistricting Commission might not necessarily favor Republicans in the 66th District, as many believe. She said that according to Dave's Redistricting, an online app that allows anyone to simulate the redistricting process, Republicans outnumber Democrats by just one percentage point in her district. "This is a winnable race," Collins said. "It's not only winnable, but I will win the race." Collins spoke to about 30 supporters Saturday evening during her campaign kickoff at Cool Beans Café in Medina Public Square. She will face Sharon Ray, who won the Republican primary for the 66th District, in November. District 66 covers the majority of Medina County. Also appearing Saturday at Cool Beans was Matthew Diemer, Democratic candidate for the 7th Congressional District in November. He is running against Republican candidate Max Miller. Collins, 38, of Medina, said she decided to seek the Ohio House seat because of her experience on the Ohio State Board of Education, to which she was elected in November 2020. She said that over the last 20 months, she achieved unanimous passage of three board resolutions, including those that allowed alternative graduation paths during the COVID-19 pandemic and urged state legislators to waive the consequences of new state report cards. "I've been able to work with the board in a bipartisan manner, and I think we need more of that in the Statehouse right now," Collins said. Collins told supporters that the Ohio General Assembly is out of touch with its constituents and is more interested in political maneuvering. "I'm running on a campaign of people over politics because that's the way I live," Collins said. Collins is an adjunct professor at Kent State University in the Interprofessional Leadership Educational Doctorate program teaching practitioner inquiry. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from The Ohio State University, a master's of education degree in curriculum from Ashland University and a Ph.D. from Kent State University. She also recently obtained a superintendent license from Ashland. Dorothy Davis, of Medina, who was Collins' campaign manager when she ran for the state board of education, attended Saturday's campaign rally. "Her breadth of knowledge and skillset is unmatched among other candidates," Davis said of Collins. "She wants to hear what people have to say, even if they have opposing views." Contact Bob Sandrick at areanews@medina-gazette.com.