Joe Gerard

Joe Gerard earned a graduate degree from The Ohio State University in 2023. Gerard's career experience includes working as an engineer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Joe Gerard is an engineer and healthcare researcher challenging incumbent Joyce Beatty in the Democratic primary for Ohio's 3rd Congressional District. A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Gerard has spent his career redesigning healthcare systems to improve patient safety.

A Short North homeowner and nearly ten-year Columbus resident, Gerard is running on a platform of affordability, government accountability, and opposition to U.S. military interventions abroad. His campaign accepts no outside donations, a deliberate choice he says reflects his commitment to representing voters over donors.

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?

AFFORDABILITY

Since 2012, Columbus rent and home prices have nearly doubled while wages have remained stagnant. Gerard's affordability platform focuses on three areas: housing, healthcare, and government spending.

On housing, he advocates for policies that increase supply, arguing that even a modest expansion of available housing would curb the ability of landlords to impose steep annual rent increases. On healthcare, he proposes using existing federal programs to create a public option available at cost to Ohioans, a step toward Medicare for All that he says requires no new taxes or legislation. He also supports reversing the current tariff regime and redirecting spending from foreign military operations toward domestic investment.CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Gerard believes Congress has abdicated its constitutional role as a check on executive power. He supports formal investigations into associates of Jeffrey Epstein, including Les Wexner and former President Donald Trump, with referrals for criminal prosecution where warranted. He also advocates for congressional oversight of ICE conduct and calls for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be held accountable for what Gerard describes as war crimes.

More broadly, Gerard calls for restoring U.S. credibility abroad by rebuilding strategic alliances and reestablishing the country's commitment to due process and the rule of law.MAXIMIZING COLUMBUS' SAFE BLUE SEAT

Ohio's 3rd Congressional District carries a CookPVI rating of D+21, making it one of just four safely Democratic seats in a state with 15 congressional districts. Gerard argues this creates both an opportunity and an obligation to pursue a more progressive agenda than current representation reflects.

He points to the incumbent's reliance on corporate and pro-Israel PAC funding as evidence the seat is not being used to its full potential. Gerard's no-donations model would free the representative to advocate without donor constraints. He frames the race as a generational contrast: an engineer and first-time candidate against an incumbent who began her tenure at retirement age.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Affordability, Healthcare, Anti-War, Individual Rights, Corruption and Political Influence, Education, Infrastructure