James Mills, a Warren County financial services executive, is running for Ohio lieutenant governor on the Libertarian ticket alongside gubernatorial candidate Don Kissick in the general election.
Mills said in a questionnaire response to Surround Sound News that he entered politics because "I got tired of picking my poison, so I decided I wanted to be part of the antidote." He said he wants a more transparent and accountable state government.
Candidate information
- Party: Libertarian
- Office sought: Ohio Lieutenant Governor
- Education: Bachelor's degree in political science and economics with a minor in Spanish, University of Cincinnati; Master of Business Administration, Xavier University
- Professional designation: Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC)
- Family: Married with two children; grew up in Cincinnati as one of five children, including two sets of twins
Experience and public service
Mills is CEO and co-founder of Ironvest Financial Partners, where he works with individuals, families and businesses on financial planning, retirement and employee-benefit strategies, according to his questionnaire response. His career in financial services has included roles at Nationwide, Western & Southern, PNC and Brokerage Solutions.
Earlier in his career, Mills served through AmeriCorps, helping develop programs for a homeless shelter.
In the Libertarian Party of Ohio, Mills has served as vice chair and field development director. He chairs the Warren County Libertarian Party.
On the issues
Property taxes: Mills said the ticket's goal is to eliminate property taxes on owner-occupied homes and family farms without defunding schools, police or fire departments. The first step: a roughly 25% reduction, with further cuts phased in as replacement funding is identified. He said the state should conduct a comprehensive review of Lottery education dollars, the General Revenue Fund, corporate subsidies and administrative spending to find inefficiencies before telling homeowners Ohio cannot afford relief.
Government transparency: Mills said he supports creating a publicly searchable database showing state contracts, lobbying activity, major expenditures, incentives and meetings involving public officials. He said he would strengthen Ohio's Sunshine Laws, limit the use of nondisclosure agreements in public business, require meaningful disclosure of conflicts of interest and increase transparency around political spending. He cited the House Bill 6 bribery scandal as an example of what happens when government operates behind closed doors.
Role of lieutenant governor: Mills said he and Kissick see the position as an active partnership, not a ceremonial one. His responsibilities would focus on small-business growth, economic and community development, government transparency and connecting the administration with communities across Ohio. He said voters should judge his success by measurable results: fewer barriers for small businesses, greater transparency in state spending and stronger locally driven economic development.
Small business and economy: Mills said he would work with entrepreneurs, chambers, local governments and economic-development organizations to reduce barriers to starting and growing businesses. He said economic-development incentives should produce measurable benefits for taxpayers.
Education: Mills said the state can lower education costs by eliminating unnecessary compliance programs and administrative mandates that consume teachers' time and taxpayer dollars without improving student outcomes.
Ohio's general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
