The most effective government is one that acts as a voice for its people. Local leaders understand the challenges faced by Ashtabula and Geauga counties far better than the vast consensus of the state legislature. Sadly, our current leadership has consistently undermined local authority, which strips away essential funding and forces out-of-touch mandates onto our communities. I promise I will fight to return governance back to our district. Local Government The most effective government is one that acts as a voice for its people. Local leaders understand the challenges faced by Ashtabula and Geauga counties far better than the vast consensus of the state legislature. Sadly, our current leadership has consistently undermined local authority, which strips away essential funding and forces out-of-touch mandates onto our communities. I promise I will fight to return governance back to our district. PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED The state has drastically slashed the Local Government Fund (LGF) which keeps tax dollars in state coffers that should be returning to our communities to pay for essential services like police and fire protection. State lawmakers are increasingly using "preemption" laws to block communities from making their own decisions, forcing a one-size-fits-all approach on our districts. Legislators frequently pass new requirements for local governments without providing the necessary funding, placing a burden on local taxpayers and cities' budgets. Goals Fight to return the LGF to its historical funding levels so that our smaller communities have the resources they need to provide vital services without constantly relying on local tax levies. Vigorously defend Home Rule and oppose state-level preemptions, ensuring that local leaders have the authority to manage their own land use, economic development, and community standards. Demand that any new state requirement placed on our municipalities or townships comes with the full state funding necessary to implement it. We need a representative who views our local governments as partners. By restoring local funding and protecting home rule, we can empower the communities of Ashtabula and Geauga counties to chart their own path forward and keep our neighborhoods safe, strong, and self-reliant.

POLICY Public Education Fund public education and recognize it as a pathway to success for our youth, including trade and vocational schools Read More Economic Development Prioritize Ohio's economy by recognizing critical industries Read More Cost-Of-Living Explore low-cost utility programs and expand utility infrastructure district-wide Read More Small Business Reduce cost of doing business for entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses Read More Local Goverment Keep funding for local government, ensuring decision-making stays in the hands of residents, not state lawmakers Read More Prescription Prices Lower out-of-pocket costs and protect hometown pharmacies Read More

What Drives This Campaign? Louis Murphy is a lifelong Ashtabula resident and local educator running for State Representative to deliver real, active representation to Ohio’s 99th District. Frustrated by the status quo where our representatives focus more on party politics than the issues that affect us, Louis is stepping up to ensure our neighbors have a dedicated voice in Columbus. Deep Community Roots Raised by a public school educator who taught at Jefferson for nearly 40 years, Louis understands the profound impact of public service. A proud product of Geneva Schools, he continues his family’s legacy today by teaching at Lakeside and coaching at Edgewood. Working in our schools and with parents gives Louis a firsthand understanding of the everyday challenges facing our neighbors. Proven Policy Experience Louis’s dedication is backed by expertise. With a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Global Sustainable Development from Lehigh University, he's already put his knowledge to work locally. As an environmental policy analyst for Geneva-on-the-Lake, Louis secured critical funding and grants to combat devastating shoreline erosion. "I want to put my experience to work as an advocate for our residents. I'm committed to working with experts from various backgrounds and both sides of the aisle in order to make our vision of a more represented district a reality. My goal is to put people over parties. I'm running for office to let our voices be heard. " — Louis Murphy

​Ohio’s 99th District has historically been defined by hard work. While industries have shifted over time, our current leadership has dropped the ball over the economic reality of our district. We need sensible, forward-thinking strategies that help businesses thrive, keep our workforce strong, and ensure long-term prosperity. Economic Development Ohio’s 99th District has historically been defined by hard work. While industries have shifted over time, our current leadership has dropped the ball over the economic reality of our district. We need sensible, forward-thinking strategies that help businesses thrive, keep our workforce strong, and ensure long-term prosperity. PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED Our local businesses and manufacturers face unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that stifle growth. Lack of planning and coordination hinders the full potential of tourist hubs like Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ashtabula's Bridge Street, and Geauga County's Town Squares. Our workforce needs greater access to vocational training to meet the demands of emerging industries. Goals Streamline administrative and permit processes to reduce the costs of opening and operating small businesses Support prevailing wage legislation to ensure high-quality infrastructure and fair compensation that keeps money in our local economy Implement practical, coordinated management of our lakefront to boost tourism and support entrepreneurship To build a resilient local economy, we need to focus on the industries that form the backbone of Northeast Ohio: Manufacturing: We must attract manufacturers back to our district , but by streamlining processes and supporting locally owned facilities that revitalize our industrial areas. Workforce Development: As an educator, I understand the importance of creating direct pipelines between our high schools, local trade programs, and emergent industries. Investing in vocational training and fighting for prevailing wage legislation ensures our local tradesmen and first responders are equipped to build and protect our communities. Travel & Hospitality: The revitalization of Ashtabula's Bridge Street proves what is possible when we support local entrepreneurs. By facilitating better communication between local governments and business owners, we can expand these successes. Agriculture is a $2.1 billion-per-year industry in Geauga County, and Ashtabula County relies heavily on its over 1,000 farms and local wineries. We must protect local producers and ensure they have the support needed to operate for generations. Healthcare: Residents frequently face the burden of traveling long distances to receive essential medical care. We must support the healthcare workers who serve our communities by demanding accountability from corporate middlemen and working to expand local, accessible care options so families aren't forced to leave the district for treatment. Let's make Ohio a place where local businesses are supported, our workforce is valued, and our communities can build lasting prosperity.

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Small Business Small businesses are the heartbeat of our district. Local entrepreneurs need an advocate in office. When the state government creates unpredictable tax environments or stalls on economic reform, our family-owned businesses pay the price. I'm committed to fighting for a regulatory environment that allows our small businesses to plan for the future and invest in their workforce PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED While the exclusion amount for the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) increased this year, successful local businesses that grow beyond the designated threshold are still subject to the existing 0.26% tax rate on those excess taxable gross receipts. Ohio takes too long to update our state tax codes to the federal guidelines. This causes unnecessary confusion for small employers trying to file their taxes. Small, independent repair shops are frequently blocked from fixing electronics and equipment because large manufacturers refuse to share necessary diagnostic tools and parts, stifling their enterprise. The shift toward cashless retail restricts consumer choice and can impact residents in our district who rely on physical currency for everyday purchases. Goals Support and expand legislation like Senate Bill 9, which aligns Ohio's tax code with federal pro-small business tax changes. Advocate for permanent conformity provisions related to full expensing and depreciation, business interest deductibility, and research and development deductions. Fight to pass the Digital Fair Repair Act (Senate Bill 176) out of committee to empower our local repair shops and give consumers the right to fix their own equipment. Support bipartisan efforts, such as the framework of Senate Bill 30, to require retail merchants to give customers the option to pay cash. Our entrepreneurs deserve a representative who actually reads the legislation and understands its impact on the 99th District. By championing sensible tax conformity, protecting independent repair shops, and prioritizing the success of local main streets, we can build a thriving economic environment for everyone.

Prescription Drug Prices When families in Northeast Ohio go to the pharmacy counter, they shouldn't have to choose between filling a prescription and paying their utilities. It's no secret that lawmakers have long allowed pharmaceutical companies and corporate middlemen to artificially inflate the cost of our healthcare. PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED Some Ohioans face financial ruin to manage a chronic condition. The skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs for essential, life-saving medications like insulin, asthma inhalers, and EpiPens place an unacceptable burden on our working families and seniors. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are intermediary organizations who control nearly 80% of U.S. prescriptions. They routinely pocket the savings they negotiate with drug manufacturers instead of passing those discounts down to patients at the pharmacy counter. Recent state legislation failed to protect local, independent pharmacies. PBMs are still legally allowed to reimburse our own Geauga and Ashtabula county pharmacies at lower rates than their own corporate-affiliated chains, driving businesses out of the market. Goals Fight for aggressive state-level price caps on life-saving medications to immediately relieve the financial pressure on patients and seniors who rely on treatments. Support state legislation requiring PBMs to direct 100% of all negotiated manufacturer rebates directly to the consumer at point of sale. Reintroduce anti-differential reimbursement rules so pharmacies are not priced out of the market by predatory practices. We need a representative who understands that a bill is not a win if the most important consumer protections are stripped out. By demanding true accountability for PBMs we can protect our local businesses, support our seniors, and lower healthcare costs for everyone in the district.

Map and geographic data containing Ohio's 99th House District 99th District Map Ohio House District 99 area map

Education is the cornerstone of a well-developed and competitive civilization. It builds society by driving personal growth, economic strength, and civic duty. Whether or not we invest in our children's education should not be a topic of debate. This extends from public education to trade and vocational schools. Public Education Education is the cornerstone of a well-developed and competitive civilization. It builds society by driving personal growth, economic strength, and civic duty. Whether or not we invest in our children's education should not be a topic of debate. This extends from public education to trade and vocational schools. PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED Ohio's national education ranking has dropped from 10th place in 2010 to 38th place in 2026¹. Ohio is the most over-levied state in the country. Frequent property levies burden and exhaust our taxpayers. Our current elected officials are attempting to pass legislation that will further reduce school funding. Goals Reduce dependence on local levies by fully funding our already passed Fair School Funding Plan Equip students to enter the workforce in high-demand, well-paying industries through a unified strategy for our trade schools Demand transparency for the over $2 billion of taxpayer money currently spent on private school vouchers Ohio is most over-levied state in the country, and that is not an exaggeration. The current cycle of over-levying our communities stems from a decades-old funding trap. When Ohio lottery earnings were introduced to support schools, the state legislature offset the new money by cutting the general education budget. To bridge this gap, our cities and counties had no choice but to pass property tax levies. The state continues to play this game today, using levy passage as an excuse to further lower state funding. The result is a continually increasing property tax burden on homeowners and consistently underfunded classrooms for our students. Simply put, we're not receiving back what we are paying to the state. Read more about returning state funds to municipalities here. Let's make Ohio a place where everyone can feel confident in their children's education. ¹Source: Network for Public Education repor t

This page containts a description of the volunteer opportunities for Louis Murphy's campaign for State Representative, and sign-up form HELP THE CAMPAIGN BECOME A VOLUNTEER Join us and help talk to neighbors by knocking on doors or canvassing at community events. We provide all training, scripts, and materials so you can get started quickly and make an impact. HOST A MEET & GREET Invite friends, family, or neighbors to your home or nearby space for a meet-and-greet with Louis. We’ll help with invites, RSVPs and campaign materials so you can focus on your community. REQUEST A YARD SIGN Join us and help talk to neighbors by knocking on doors or canvassing at community events. We provide all training, scripts, and materials so you can get started quickly and make an impact. First Name Last Name Email Phone Message Volunteer to Canvass Yard Sign Delivery Host a Meet & Greet Sign me up for text messages Thank you for your support! Submit

WHAT'S THE NEWS?

Louis Murphy is running for election to Ohio House District 99 seat. Louis Murphy for State Representative 2026 Our Candidate For Ohio's 99th Our Candidate For Ohio's 99th Louis Murphy's goal is to unite the residents of Northeast Ohio by addressing our issues and representing people over parties. JOIN LOUIS MURPHY JOIN LOUIS MURPHY Teacher | Policy Analyst | Geoscientist First Name* Email* I'M IN! He'll work with community leaders to find the solutions needed in our district while being our advocate in the state. Let's make our voices heard and ensure Northeast Ohio is a place everyone can live and work. THE ISSUES Louis Murphy aims to bring a voice to all of our neighbors in Ohio's 99th. We deserve a Representative who will act in the benefit of us all. A few of the issues we plan to confront are: Public Education Economic Development Cost-of-Living Government Small Business