Arienne Childrey

Arienne Childrey was born in Richlands, Virginia. Her career experience includes working in retail. Childrey has been affiliated with Northwest Ohio Trans Advocacy.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Arienne Childrey: Community leader and advocate bringing common-sense solutions to affordable living, public safety, and equality for Ohio's 84th District.

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?

Dedicated Local Service and Community Focus — I stepped up to serve as St. Marys City Council member for the 4th Ward, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to any city council in Ohio. During my time in office, I worked on issues like public safety, transparency, and keeping costs down for residents — bringing that same hands-on commitment to the Statehouse for the 84th District.A Better Path Forward for Working Families — As the wife of a union laborer and a longtime community advocate, I'm committed to good-paying jobs, affordable housing and healthcare, safe communities, and economic opportunity in rural Ohio. I'll work across the aisle to deliver real solutions for the challenges our families face every day, rather than endless culture wars.Representation That Listens and Fights for All — In one of Ohio's reddest districts, I'm running a people-powered campaign to ensure every voice in the 84th District is heard. Whether it's protecting our rights, fighting corruption in Columbus, or building a stronger, more inclusive future, I'll show up, listen, and stand up for working people — because democracy works best when voters have real choices.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public education, economic fairness for working families, affordable housing and healthcare, and civil rights.

I will fight to raise teacher salaries, fully repeal the EdChoice voucher program draining our public schools, and restore local control to the Ohio Board of Education.

I support good-paying jobs, tax reform that helps working families, rural broadband, and ending sub-minimum wages for disabled workers.

I want to ban housing discrimination against voucher holders, expand quality healthcare and mental health support, and address the elder care crisis.

Finally, I strongly support the Ohio Fairness Act — because equality helps us solve every other issue together.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Ohio State Representative Michele Grim

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I've worked for more than twenty years in retail and retail management. I've previously served on the executive committee of the Auglaize County Democratic Party and partnered with the Mercer County Democratic Party. In late 2022 I formed the grassroots organization, Northwest Ohio Trans Advocacy (NOTA), to support full inclusion of trans people in society. I organized the 2023 Lima Pride March and have spoken at Small Town Pride Celina multiple times.

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?

It doesn't matter if its a Democratic idea or a Republican idea, as long as it's a good idea.I'm committed to being accessible to constituents from all political affiliations.I'm running to ensure everyone has a seat at the table.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am fully committed to equality for all Ohio citizens, including the passage of the Ohio Fairness Act. I will fight for an increase in teacher salaries, a repeal of Ohio's irresponsible EdChoice voucher program and the restoration of the autonomy of the Ohio Board of Education. I support alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar, to supplement our energy grid and reduce the cost to consumers. I will work to reform the Ohio tax code, ensuring the wealthiest pay their fair share and tax cuts go to our poor and middle class. I want to work across the aisle to address the elder care crisis and ensure our seniors can receive care in their own homes.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My biggest hero is my grandmother. I cared for her as she struggled with cancer and watched as she never gave up hope, and never let the pain take away her amazing sense of humor. Her memory has been a source of strength and inspiration for me throughout the years.

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

Accessibility - we have to be available to our constituents and willing to listen to their concerns and ideas. I also think it's important that we be able to see beyond party label. Perhaps we can't see eye-to-eye on a particular issue, but what are the issues that we can find common ground and work for the common good.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

A willingness to listen and a fighter spirit. I am a passionate advocate that doesn't give up.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

As an 18 year old, newly on my own in Columbus Ohio, I remember watching the September 11th terrorist attacks. My roommates mother called us that morning, telling us to turn on the news, and we were watching as the second plane struck the towers. That evening I went to work at Target, on Polaris Pky. It remains the strangest day of my retail career, with almost no one coming in the store, and all of us gathered around a roll out television, watching the news.

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

My very first job was working in a small diner that my family managed. I worked as a dishwasher on the weekends and also worked the food truck for auctions and county fairs. I did this during the summers of my teen years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland County Singer by Chely Wright

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

"This is Me" from The Greatest Showman. I absolutely love the film and I often use that song to encourage myself in anything I'm working on.

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

I believe the state legislature serves as a check on gubernatorial powers. While we should work hard to never have an adversarial relationship with the governor, our first priority is to the constituents of the district, and ensuring their wellbeing is communicated to all levels of government.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

As we see the population of Ohio age, solving the elder care crisis in our state is of paramount importance. With a shortage of direct care professionals, serving the in-home needs of our senior population, we must develop solutions quickly. We also need to address education in our state, as our teachers continue to receive salaries below the national average since 2014. With the drug abuse epidemic in Ohio, community intervention, drug rehabilitation and drug court needs also need to be urgently addressed.

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

I really think it depends on the individual. Government experience can certainly be useful. However, more important is our responsiveness to the constituents needs, our willingness to listen to the residents of our district and to take their ideas with us, to the Statehouse.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. Our goal should be to represent the interests of our constituents, and often those interests and needs will overlap. I believe good working relationships with legislators of all parties can help us achieve those goals.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

As a trans woman, Danica Roem of Virginia is an inspiration. I appreciate that she has shown the people that a trans politician can stand for equality while also advocating for the kitchen table issues that matter to all constituents.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely. I believe we have to be willing to reach across the aisle and reach compromise solutions for the issues that matter to our constituents. We may not get 100% of what we want, but making progress for the people must be our priority, even if it comes incrementally.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

My first priority would be to work with legislators across the aisle to introduce a bill that would resolve or help with our elder care crisis, ensuring that seniors of all districts have access (and ease of access) to resources that allow them to receive needed care, without the need of leaving home.

What committees interest you?

Families and Aging, Public Utilities, Primary and Secondary Education and Civil Justice