Ottawa County, Ohio

Ohio House District 89

2 candidates are tracked for Ohio House District 89 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Easton Michael Retzke and DJ Swearingen. Candidate information follows official Ottawa County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Easton Michael Retzke (Democratic), DJ Swearingen (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Ohio House District 89; DJ Swearingen is the sitting member, per the Ohio House of Representatives's official member directory (ohiohouse.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, DJ Swearingen, is on the ballot.

Ohio › Ottawa County › Ohio House District 89

Easton Michael Retzke

Democratic

Top priorities

Priorities include tax reform, local job creation, housing affordability, school funding, infrastructure development, and protecting air and water quality.
Has criticized the expansion of Ohio's private school voucher system, saying it diverts resources from public school districts.

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Easton Michael Retzke is the Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 89. Retzke is a lifelong Sandusky resident and small business advocate, and a political science graduate of Ohio State University specializing in political leadership and reform, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

DJ Swearingen

RepublicanIncumbent

Biography

DJ Swearingen is the Republican incumbent for Ohio House District 89, serving his third term representing Erie County, most of Ottawa County and part of Huron County, per the Ohio House of Representatives. He holds a law degree from the University of Dayton and practices law with the firm Wickens, Herzer, Panza, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Next on your ballotOhio House District 44

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Ohio House District 89 in 2026?

When is the Ohio House District 89 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Ottawa County ballot

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

See all 2 Ottawa County races

Candidate profiles

Easton Michael Retzke, full profile DJ Swearingen, full profile Official Ohio election office