Maddux McCray

Maddux McCray earned a high school diploma from Van Wert High School. McCray's career experience includes working as a substitute teacher.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong resident of Van Wert and a graduate of Van Wert High School. I work as a substitute teacher and grassroots organizer while completing my bachelor's degree in history with a minor in political science through Marshall University-Online. After graduation, I plan to become a teacher and continue my education at the graduate level.

My roots in Northwest Ohio run deep. My family has ties throughout Van Wert and Paulding counties, including backgrounds in farming, manufacturing, education, and organized labor. Growing up around these communities has given me a strong appreciation for the people who work, raise families, and build their lives here, as well as the challenges facing rural Northwest Ohio.

I am running for the Ohio House of Representatives because I believe the people of District 82 deserve representation focused on their communities and constituents rather than solely on a party agenda. I believe our district deserves a representative who listens to the people who live here, understands the challenges facing our rural communities, and brings their concerns and priorities to Columbus.

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?

People First

People First means making sure the people and communities of District 82 are taken care of properly and that their needs come before party politics. I believe a state representative's first responsibility is to listen to the people they serve, remain accessible and accountable, and make sure their concerns are heard in Columbus. Our communities deserve the resources, services, and opportunities they need to thrive, and residents deserve a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives and their communities. Whether it is the cost of living, education, healthcare, infrastructure, or opportunities in rural Ohio, decisions at the Statehouse should begin with the people who will be affected by them.Strong Public Schools and Educational Opportunity

Ohio has a responsibility to fairly fund its public schools without leaving local communities to shoulder an unsustainable share of the cost. Every student deserves an exceptional education regardless of ZIP code, income, or individual differences, with access to career technical education, college preparation, workforce training, STEM, fine arts, financial literacy, athletics, and special education. Our schools should prepare every student to pursue the path that fits them. We must also support the teachers, school employees, administrators, and support staff who make that education possible by providing the resources and support they need to serve our students and communities.Affordability and Strong Rural Communities

Rural Ohio should be a place where people can afford to live, work, raise a family, and build a future. Rising costs for groceries, utilities, housing, healthcare, transportation, and property taxes put increasing pressure on families, seniors, and working people. Strong rural communities also depend on good jobs, small businesses, family farms, accessible healthcare, reliable infrastructure, and responsible economic development. We should invest in our communities while making sure growth benefits the people who already call them home and preserves opportunities for future generations.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public education, affordability, and strengthening rural communities. My priorities include supporting workers and local businesses, protecting family farms, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and investing in infrastructure and transportation. I support criminal justice reforms with penalties appropriate to the seriousness of the crime, while funding police, fire and EMS, mental health, and social services. I also support consumer and fraud protections and believe data center development should be paused until communities have full transparency and understand the environmental, water, energy, and infrastructure impacts.

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

I have been fortunate to have great teachers at every stage of my education. From elementary school through college, educators helped spark my interest in history and politics, challenged me to think critically, and influenced the direction I have taken in life. My close knit family has also been one of my greatest influences, teaching me the importance of hard work, loyalty, perseverance, and being there for others.

As a student of history, I also look to those who came before us. From the founding generation to political leaders throughout our history, their successes, failures, and decisions provide examples of how government and society can change for the better or for the worse. I believe there is value in studying both. We can learn from what previous generations accomplished while also recognizing their mistakes and working to avoid repeating them.

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

Honesty, accountability, accessibility, and respect are among the most important principles for an elected official. Public office is a position of trust, and elected officials should remember that they work for the people they represent. That means listening even when you disagree, being willing to explain your decisions, admitting when you are wrong, and remaining accessible to your constituents. An elected official should put the needs of their communities ahead of personal interests or party politics and approach every decision with the understanding that it can have a real impact on people's lives.

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

A state representative is responsible for developing, reviewing, and voting on legislation that affects the people and communities of Ohio. They are entrusted with decisions about the state budget, education, infrastructure, healthcare, public safety, economic development, and other essential responsibilities of state government. They must also provide oversight of state agencies and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly. Above all, they should understand how decisions made in Columbus affect their district and make sure the interests and needs of their constituents are represented throughout the legislative process.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I am not sure I am at a place in my life where I can say what my legacy will be, or even that I will have one to leave behind. What I can say is that I want to leave the world better for the generations that come after us. I hope that whatever work I do, in public service, education, or my community, contributes in some way to giving the next generation greater opportunities, stronger communities, and a better quality of life. I think a legacy is something that is determined by the people whose lives you affected, not something you get to decide for yourself.

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

I believe the ideal relationship between the governor and the General Assembly begins with respecting the roles established by the Ohio Constitution. The legislature is responsible for making laws, while the governor leads the executive branch and is responsible for carrying out those laws. Neither should simply serve as an extension of the other. The governor and legislators should communicate, identify areas where they can work together, and pursue solutions that benefit Ohioans while maintaining the checks and balances between their respective branches. Disagreement is sometimes necessary, but each branch should respect the constitutional responsibilities and independence of the other.

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

Over the next decade, Ohio must confront several challenges that will shape the future of our state. We need to retain young people and skilled workers, address shortages in essential professions, modernize aging infrastructure, strengthen access to healthcare, and establish greater stability in funding for schools and local governments. At the same time, changing industries, growing energy demands, and major new developments will require careful planning to protect our communities and natural resources. Ohio cannot continue addressing long term problems with short term solutions. We need responsible planning that gives communities stability, encourages opportunity, and prepares our state for the changes ahead.

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

Compromise can be necessary for effective policymaking. However, the level of partisanship in our nation and in Ohio has made it increasingly difficult to build the bridges necessary to pass meaningful legislation. Bipartisan legislation is essential to a government that can work together and address the needs of the people it represents. Compromise should not mean abandoning your principles, but it does require listening to different perspectives, finding areas of common ground, and recognizing that good ideas do not belong exclusively to one party. I am willing to work with anyone when it means finding practical solutions for the people of Ohio.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

My campaign has been endorsed by the Ohio Young Democrats, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter, the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, AFSCME Local 4, the Defiance Area UAW CAP Council, Blue Ohio, the Defiance County Democratic Party, the Van Wert County Democratic Party, the Putnam County Democratic Party, and the Paulding County Democratic Party.