Rick Neal

This past summer, I launched a campaign for the Ohio Senate here in Columbus. Since January, our country has been under attack from its own government, and from some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world. My goal to fight back - for freedom, for each other, and for the future - struck a chord, and I have been so grateful for all the support and encouragement I've received.

The fight for democracy and freedom since Trump and MAGA returned to power has had a useful maxim: don't wait for the perfect message, or the right moment, or a sure-fire way of having an impact - just go for it, try everything, give it your all. And that comes with an important corollary: when something's not working, stop, regroup, and try something else.

And so - I'm ending the campaign that I started with so much hope just two months ago. Despite a strong start, and despite my conviction that we desperately need new voices in the Statehouse to stand up and defend freedom and our communities, it's become clear that I'm not the right candidate for this district right now. In such dangerous and unsettling times, my fight is with the authoritarian forces - led by Trump and embraced by Ohio MAGA Republicans - that threaten our democracy, our livelihoods, and control over our future. Continuing my state senate campaign instead was leading to a fight with my fellow Democrats that I was unlikely to win, and that would discredit and undermine the bigger fight that we must all take on against MAGA.

Am I disappointed? Of course. I do not see the fight in our leaders that I think this moment requires, and that many of you let me know you also want to see. And I am deeply frustrated that the next Ohio General Assembly will once again see only minimal LGBTQ+ representation on the House side, and none at all in the Senate.

As always, we have our work cut out for us. Our vision must remain a government of, by, and for the people - a vision that now faces its greatest threat since Lincoln held it before us. Thank you for everything, and I look forward to continuing the fight, no matter the challenges and setbacks.

Whew! The city was alive tonight for National Night Out - and I got worn out trying to keep up. So happy to see Donna at the park and get the scoop on the from Chairman Jim Griffin. Inspired by Dana and his work w Lives Worth Saving Foundation in - and it’s always good to see CCS Board candidate .jaek2b out in the community! Heard from very pleased parent Amanda about the incredible summer camp organized by in Driving Park, and got the best line from Program Director Kristina : “We’re resource rich but connections poor” and that’s something we can definitely change. And the field behind Avondale Elementary in was packed - but it was sobering learning from that Franklin County has 3000-10000 homeless kids and young adults - which is unacceptable, and also something we can definitely change.

Check out my interview in The Buckeye Flame about my campaign for the Ohio Senate! We talked about a lot of things - why I'm running, what makes me different from my primary opponent, and the importance - when our community is under direct attack - of LGBTQ+ representation at the Statehouse.

This is a fight for freedom, for each other, and for the future - and it's growing more urgent by the day. Part of that is a loud, defiant show of force for our Constitution, our democracy, and our livelihoods - and part of it is also making sure we have the best, most broad representation possible - because it's going to take all of us to fight, all of us to protect one another, and all of us to win.

So let's make it happen! Sign up at rickneal.com and donate to the cause at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/rick-neal-1. Thank you!

LGBTQ+ Ohio Senate hopeful says Democrats need to step up: ‘The house is on fire. There is no clear path.’ If elected, Rick Neal would be the only out gay male serving in the Columbus Statehouse in either the House or Senate.

LGBTQ+ Ohio Senate hopeful says Democrats need to step up: ‘The house is on fire. There is no clear path.’

If elected, Rick Neal would be the only out gay male serving in the Columbus Statehouse in either the House or Senate.

LGBTQ+ Ohio Senate hopeful says Democrats need to step up: ‘The house is on fire. There is no clear path.’ If elected, Rick Neal would be the only out gay male serving in the Columbus Statehouse in either the House or Senate.

Yesterday, I was proud and excited to join the Columbus 50501 protest and supply drive at the Statehouse. I went as a candidate for the Ohio Senate to stand up and speak out against the abuse of power by Trump, MAGA, and Ohio Republicans - but also to connect with our local 50501 organization and to see for myself how the connection between protest and mutual aid happens.

These are both important parts of my campaign, and for what I'll do as your senator in the Statehouse: to fight for freedom, and to fight for each other. Our state legislature, under the lock of Republicans in office through anti-Constitutional gerrymandering and corrupt campaign financing, is not helping us but attacking us - and too many people in Franklin County are having trouble putting food on the table, keeping a roof over their heads, getting the healthcare they need, and sending their kids to decent schools.

So when we're under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back! One hundred protesters or more came out to speak out, and brought food, school supplies, and clothes to help their neighbors. I was curious where these donations were going, so one of the organizers took the time to show me: Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Motherful Columbus, JUST - Justice, Unity, & Social Transformation, and FACO. They took the food and kids clothes I brought, and I watched as protester after protester walked up and filled the waiting boxes.

This is how we do it: stand up for our values, and help each other out.

And we have to tell the truth - as unsettling as it is- that it's going to get worse. I've been shocked by the reports throughout the spring and summer about dwindling food aid in the face of ever-rising need. The Columbus Dispatch has a report out today: "Ohio food pantries face rising demand as state and federal funding shrinks." Elon Musk and DOGE forced cuts of food to central Ohio; and MAGA Republicans at the Statehouse and in Congress jammed through budgets that cuts funding for food assistance. In the meantime, Broad Street Food Pantry and NNEMAP Food Pantry, both in neighborhoods that I'm running to represent in the State Senate, are overwhelmed with demand. What are hungry people supposed to do? The resources are there, the food is there - but MAGA is on a rampage to show that they can do whatever they want, people and hunger be damned.

Enough. What do we do when we're under attack? Stand up, fight back - and help out!

kicking off the American Dream tour here in Columbus at the new with and the amazing Kelley Robinson - and bringing it all together with strength and inspiration was our own Congresswoman , challenging us not just to dream but to be part of our common dream, to take action to turn dreams into reality. We can do it but we have to fight for it - and fight we will! 🇺🇸🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We are Ganthers Place. 20th Annual Garden Tour was awesome, even with the occasional downpour ☔️ Honored the memory and service of our sweet and beautiful Carla D. Fountaine. Ken and Alan did a wonderful job, with the fruits of their labors evident in Ganther Park. Good to meet Wanda and Angel and Rose and let them know about my campaign 💪 Illuminating conversation with Tara from Community Grounds: Coffee & Meeting House about the neighborhood and its challenges: Ohio needs to lift up its urban areas, not cut them off 🦋☀️🌈

Yes!! This is EXACTLY why I’m running for the Ohio Senate - to fight back hard against Ohio GOP wannabe dictators, to obstruct, to call out their BS - but also to lead the effort to figure out, TOGETHER, the best way to defend freedom and win this war. Love it!

Forget floor speeches. It’s time for Ohio’s Democratic leaders to raise hell: Leila Atassi Ohio Democrats are sleepwalking through a political inferno, clinging to civility while Republicans bulldoze basic rights—and unless they start fighting fire with fire, they'll be complicit in the wreckage left behind.

Today is a national day of action to make good trouble: to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis by standing up, speaking out, and fighting back against the attacks on our freedoms, our democracy, and our country. Every day, we face a president and administration - we face state governments and political leaders - we face online propaganda and social media - we face tech barons and crypto bros - who outrage us with their indecency, lies, and corruption; their disdain for our values; their destruction of our government, institutions, and Constitution; their willful mismanagement of our economy and attacks on our livelihoods; and their takedown of the common good inherent in human rights, public health, public education, labor unions, the environment, and civil society.

It’s unacceptable. Abraham Lincoln laid out a vision of government of the people, by the people, and for the people - of us, by us, for us - and it is up to us to defend that vision, and take decisive action to bring an end to these attacks by our own leaders and our own government.

Find and join an event today to make your voice heard, and to build solidarity with others for the fight ahead.

https://goodtroubleliveson.org

Keep going at our weekly protest at the Easton Tesla on Saturdays at 4:30 PM:

https://mobilize.us/s/dfkfWK

And thank you for your support for and engagement with my campaign for the Ohio State Senate in 2026. Working together to take the fight to the Statehouse for our freedom and our livelihoods is how we’re going to face down this threat and build a new future for us all.

Good Trouble Lives On On July 17, five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis, communities across the country will take to the streets, courthouses, and community spaces to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all.

Woo hoo! Great to be with the great folks of Whitehall this morning for the July 4 parade - congrats to the WCCA and all the volunteers for an awesome event, and grateful for Tara, Ron, Chris, and the kids for marching with me. Fight for freedom, fight for working families, fight for the future! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸