Laalitya Acharya

Laalitya Acharya graduated from William Mason High School. She earned a bachelor's and a graduate degree from Columbia University. Her career experience includes working as an engineering manager.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Laalitya grew up in this district. Her parents immigrated straight to Ohio from India - and have never left the Midwest since. She graduated at the top of her class from Mason High School - and then received her Bachelors & Masters of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University.

Through both high school and college, she volunteered for local STEM education centers, organized to increase education access and supported student worker’s rights. She was even honored with the Gold Congressional Youth Award for her advocacy work.

After completing graduate school, she moved home to the district that raised her where she has continued to advocate for public education, affordability and healthcare for all.

In 2023, Laalitya saw a drastic overreach from Ohio’s State Legislature as politicians tried to make it harder for citizen-led initiatives to pass. Instead of a simple majority, the threshold would be raised to 60% amongst other changes. She immediately got to work and organized to ensure Ohioans’ votes weren’t suppressed.

Laalitya truly believes Ohio’s motto of being “the heart of it all”. But as any Ohioan can tell you, while our state is great - our politicians aren’t. So she’s decided to take on this fight the right way - by not taking ANY corporate PAC or dark money. She’s fighting for public education, a living wage, healthcare for all Ohioans and ensuring that every Ohioan has a fair shot at success.

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?

Public Education:

We must protect our public schools. In Ohio, that means ending school vouchers and setting up our kids for long-term success with Universal Pre-K while also reducing our student to teacher ratio. The State government does not currently pay their fair share which is weaking our schools - and increasing our taxes. We have to support our families, reduce taxes and have our government fund our schools.Affordability:

Our grocery and utility bills are far too high. The government keeps giving tax cuts to programs like data centers which put the electric burden on consumers, destroy our farms and don't even create jobs.

The housing market is even worse with inflated prices that make it harder for Ohioans to raise their families and pay their ever-rising property taxes. We need to make it affordable & easy for families in SW Ohio to build their lives here.Healthcare:

Most Americans are one healthcare crisis away from bankruptcy. Hardworking Ohioans are often unable to pay for the medical care that they need. As a biomedical engineer, who works in clinical research, I am hyperaware of how difficult getting treatment is. In my work, even if I find that magical medical cure - what is the point if people cannot afford that?

We need to push for more transparency from insurance companies (so that people know what they are paying for), fight against companies that keep raising the costs for record-breaking profit and make sure that Ohio's incredible hospitals (whether rural, urban, or suburban) are protected.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I want to make life in Ohio better. That comes from focusing on the issues that every single Ohioan is struggling with, whether that's worrying about their kids' schools or being concerned with their weekly Kroger bill. We have to uplift our communities and use the government to do that work. Politics is not something that just happens, it is actively done. And we deserve politicans who are willing to DO the work.

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

My parents. They are immigrants to this country who came here with nothing, followed the legal path to citizenship - and are the most perfect example of "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps" to build a wonderful life in Ohio.

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

Honesty, Integrity, A fighter, A listener, Self-aware

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To serve the people in their district and to work to improve their lives every day

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a better world behind - and I never want it to be said that I did not try. I will always try and I will always fight for what I believe in.

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

I worked at Antonio Violins right here in Mason! As a trained violinist this was a wonderful job to learn more about business, and to further my instrument technician skills.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I want to build a life here in SW Ohio but it feels as though roadblocks have been put-up left & right. Whether its wanting to buy a home, developing a career here, or anything else - I want to make it easier for young people like me (and every Ohioan!) to thrive here.

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

The one as defined by the Constitution. The legislative and executive branches have different powers, but their goal of improving Ohioans' lives should be consistent.

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

One of Ohio's largest exports is its young people. We need to retain our early talent to make sure that this incredible state, stays great!

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

Yes absolutely - in a state as unique as Ohio, I understand the importance of working together to solve our issues.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

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