Republican Rep. Mike Carey and Democratic challenger Don Leonard are competing for Ohio's 15th Congressional District seat, which covers Hilliard, Dublin and Grove City.

Carey, 55, is seeking a fourth term. Leonard, 47, is a former Ohio State University professor who upset Adam Miller in the May 5 Democratic primary, winning 53% to 47%, according to Decision Desk HQ. Carey took 89% of the Republican primary vote in Franklin County, according to the Franklin County Board of Elections.

The district favors Republicans: Trump carried the old district by 9 points in 2024. … Under the new lines, he would have won 55% to 45%. A congressional map approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission in late 2025 gave the seat a slightly more Republican tilt, Signal Ohio reported. Under the new lines, the 2024 presidential split was 55% Trump, 45% Harris.

House Majority PAC, the main Democratic super PAC for U.S. House races, has reserved $1.8 million in Columbus-area ad spending targeting the district, according to TiffinOhio.net.

Carey describes himself as a "pro-Trump America first outsider" who served as a military officer and worked as an energy executive, NBC4 reported. He said he is campaigning on funding for Ohio communities, job creation, Social Security reform, border security, veterans' support and spending cuts.

Leonard taught city and regional planning at Ohio State for about 10 years before stepping down to run, according to The Lantern. He spent two years in the Peace Corps. His platform includes lowering healthcare costs, universal childcare and opposition to data center expansion.

Leonard drew attention March 28 when Grove City police arrested him at a "No Kings" protest after he used a megaphone, according to WOSU. He faces charges of obstructing official business and violating a noise ordinance in Grove City Mayor's Court, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The outcome of those charges has not been reported.

Grove City Police Chief Eric Scott later told a City Council meeting on April 6 that his instruction to officers to "lean toward zero tolerance" at protests "was a mistake on my part."

Leonard told ABC 6 after the arrest: "I think my arrest shows the people of my district that I'm a fighter."

Libertarian candidate Brennan Barrington is also on the ballot, along with Gary Josephson, listed with no party affiliation, and write-in candidate Samuel Ronan, according to the Franklin County Board of Elections candidate list.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.