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The District 19 Democratic primary is competitive, with four candidates currently running– Dionna Gore, Nicole Sigurdson, Devin Cotten and Azaadjeet Singh. Gore is currently the only candidate running that lives in Solon. This primary is the most crowded primary since 2018, as the incumbent Representative Phil Robinson is term limited.
The primary will take place on May 5. The Republican candidate, Eric Geyer, is running unchallenged.
Dionna Gore details why she’s running, her plans if she wins and why she thinks young people are crucial to her campaign in this Q & A.
Q: Why are you running, and what connections do you have to the Solon Community?
A: I’m running because I believe everyone deserves a representative who understands how policies affect real life. I’ve lived in Solon for 19 years, my husband and I raised our son in this community, and I bring my lived experience as a union member, small business owner, parent, non-profit board member and longtime community advocate into everything I do. Solon isn’t just where I live, it’s where I serve. From mentoring students, serving as a PTA delegate and supporting Solon City Schools to being active in the Solon Democratic Club, I’ve worked directly with students, families and educators. These deep community roots drive my commitment to represent District 19 with integrity, action and a clear understanding of how education, healthcare and economic policies impact families right here at home.
Q: If elected, what policies would you prioritize in your first 90 days as a state representative?
A: In my first 90 days as a state representative, my priorities would include strengthening public school funding and advancing education equity, protecting access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare and supporting working families through fair wages and strong workplace protections. I would also focus on expanding access to affordable housing, addressing rising property taxes that strain homeowners, renters and small businesses, and ensuring community-rooted businesses have the support they need to grow and create jobs. Just as importantly, I would prioritize listening, meeting directly with educators, healthcare workers, students, homeowners, renters and small business owners to advance policies that stabilize families and make government work better for the people it serves.
Q: If students want to get involved in your political campaign, what opportunities are available to them?
A: Students can get involved through canvassing, phone banking, digital outreach and event support, gaining real-world experience in grassroots organizing and civic engagement. Our campaign also offers internships, volunteer hours and leadership opportunities for students interested in policy research, communications and community outreach. Most importantly, I want young people at the table as volunteers, storytellers and organizers helping shape messages and strategies that truly reflect their generation.
Q: Do you believe that young voters are crucial to Ohio’s democracy, and what would you do to help enfranchise them?
A: Absolutely, young voters are essential to a healthy democracy and bring the energy, ideas and leadership our state needs. Democracy only works when everyone can participate, which is why I support policies that expand voter access, protect voting
rights and oppose voter suppression. I would work to reduce barriers to voting, protect early and absentee voting and actively support new voters by partnering with high schools in District 19 to host voter registration drives. By engaging students where they are and working with schools and community organizations to expand civic education, we can ensure young people understand their rights, feel empowered to register and know how to use their voice from day one.
Q: Why is it important for you to speak directly to younger voters?
A: Young people are already affected by policy decisions, yet too often excluded from the conversation. Younger voters deserve leaders who listen, not lecture and who are willing to work alongside them to understand their concerns and shape a better future. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and engaging them early builds trust, civic confidence and long-term participation in our democracy.
Q: Even though we’re still in the early stages of the state house elections, why should younger voters care about the primaries?
A: Primaries decide who gets on the ballot and are often who ultimately represents constituents of the communities they’ll serve, shaping decisions on education, housing, healthcare and voting laws long before November. If young voters sit out primaries, those decisions are made without them. Early engagement is where your voice matters most and ensures the leaders who advance reflect the values and priorities of the next generation.
Q: Politics directly affects young people’s lives. Do you believe that voter education is essential to engaging younger voters?
A: Yes, voter education is very much essential. It empowers young people to connect policy decisions to their everyday lives and understand how to make change. When students know how government works and how to participate, they’re more likely to
vote and stay engaged. Informed voters are powerful voters, which is why I strongly support civic education that explains not just how to vote, but why it matters.
Dionna Gore is active in the Solon community, formerly serving as a PTA Representative and currently employed as an account executive with Medical Mutual, regularly working with local businesses with healthcare plans. Gore hopes to engage voters throughout the primary campaign and the general election in the November.
