The Ballot Brief
Lucas County, Ohio

Ohio Senate District 11

3 candidates are tracked for Ohio Senate District 11 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Paula Hicks-Hudson, James Nowak and Kenneth W Sharp. Candidate information follows official Lucas County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Paula Hicks-Hudson (Democratic), James Nowak (Republican), Kenneth W Sharp (Libertarian) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio Senate District 11; Paula Hicks-Hudson is the sitting member, per the Ohio Senate's official member directory (ohiosenate.gov). Nominees were chosen at the May 5, 2026 primary or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list; Ohio prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Paula Hicks-Hudson, is on the ballot.

Ohio › Lucas County › Ohio Senate District 11

Paula Hicks-Hudson

Paula Hicks-Hudson

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Job creation and economic development
  • Protecting Lake Erie and the environment
  • Safe neighborhoods

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Paula Hicks-Hudson is the incumbent Ohio State Senator for District 11, per ohiosenate.gov. She was the first Black woman to serve as mayor of Toledo and previously served as a Toledo City Councilwoman and Council President and as an Ohio State Representative, per her campaign site. Hicks-Hudson holds degrees from Spelman College, Colorado State University and the University of Iowa College of Law, and worked at the Toledo Legal Aid Society.

James Nowak

Republican

Biography

James Nowak is the Republican candidate for Ohio Senate District 11 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Kenneth W Sharp

Libertarian

Biography

Kenneth W Sharp is the Libertarian candidate for Ohio Senate District 11 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Next on your ballotOhio House District 41

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Ohio Senate District 11 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for Ohio Senate District 11 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Paula Hicks-Hudson, James Nowak and Kenneth W Sharp. Candidate information follows official Lucas County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Ohio Senate District 11 election in Ohio?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Ohio are on the Ohio election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Lucas County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Lucas County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Ohio election office, or see the full Lucas County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Lucas County ballot

14 tracked races in Lucas County, Ohio. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Ohio House District 42Ohio House District 43Ohio House District 44See all 14 Lucas County races
Candidate profiles
Paula Hicks-Hudson, full profileJames Nowak, full profileKenneth W Sharp, full profileOfficial Ohio election office