Can Jerrad Christian Beat Troy Balderson in Ohio's 12th District?

Jerrad Christian, the Democratic nominee in Ohio's 12th Congressional District, returns to Purple Political Breakdown: Ohio Edition for a general election follow-up as he challenges Republican Rep. Troy Balderson this November. Jerrad won the May primary and now faces a district he describes as running from some of Ohio's wealthiest suburbs to some of its poorest Appalachian counties. We cover where his platform stands, how it contrasts with Balderson, and the Ohio issues driving the 2026 midterms. Jerrad lays out his case for Medicare for All and a single payer system, and we steel-man the most common objections: government control, a public option as the middle path, and the tax increase needed to pay for it. He contrasts that with Balderson's push to modernize FDA rules for wearable health technology, which Balderson describes as a streamlined pathway with safety guardrails and Jerrad argues does nothing for families who cannot afford coverage. From there we get into data centers in Licking County and across Ohio, including heat, water, power bills, and local residents petitioning and going to court over where they get built, plus Flock license plate cameras and the Fourth Amendment. We discuss the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian residents in Springfield, the death of 20-year-old Pierre Damas Bel after he was fitted with an ICE ankle monitor, and Gov. Mike DeWine's response. We also talk about the armed man who charged toward Dr. Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair and the rise of political violence. On elections, Jerrad explains his view of redistricting and gerrymandering and why he calls Issue 3, Ohio's voter ID constitutional amendment on the November 3 ballot, a waste of time. Issue 3 would move Ohio's existing photo ID requirement for in-person voting from state law into the state constitution. We also cover Congress ceding power to the executive branch, the EPA's repeal of carbon standards for coal and gas power plants, Ohio property taxes and school funding, and the war with Iran. We close with a quickfire round on structural reform: Supreme Court reform, term limits, the Senate filibuster, uncapping the House, Citizens United and super PAC money in the Ohio governor's race, presidential immunity, congressional stock trading, and the pardon system. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:41 Jerrad Christian returns for the general election 03:01 Getting to know Jerrad 04:48 Post-primary update and OH-12 campaign strategy 06:47 Medicare for All and single payer 07:58 Health care contrast with Troy Balderson 10:37 Public option vs. single payer 12:14 How would single payer be paid for? 14:22 Data centers in Licking County and Ohio 19:29 Flock cameras and surveillance 20:07 Immigration, Springfield, and Haitian TPS 24:57 Amy Acton, the Canfield Fair, and political violence 27:50 Redistricting and gerrymandering in Ohio 30:09 Challenging federal power and election security 30:58 Issue 3: Ohio's voter ID amendment 35:07 EPA power plant rollback and Congress's role 37:20 Ohio property taxes 39:40 The Iran war 45:47 Quickfire: Supreme Court reform 47:37 Term limits 48:55 The filibuster 50:35 Uncapping the House 51:56 Citizens United and super PACs 54:33 Presidential immunity 56:02 Congressional stock trading and pardons 58:02 Jerrad's closing pitch Learn more about Jerrad Christian's campaign: https://www.christianforohio.com Standard Resource Links & Recommendations PODCAST NETWORK ALIVE Podcast Network: Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACY Equal Vote Coalition & STAR Voting: Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/star POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT Independent Center: Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ Join the conversation on r/PolicySolutions: https://www.reddit.com/r/policysolutions/ Check Out the CIVICS App to Know More About Your Politicians: https://www.civicpolitics.com ALL LINKS https://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdown The Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias." Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics, where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9