Who will represent Cincinnati in Congress? In this episode of Purple Political Breakdown, host Radell Lewis breaks down every candidate running in Ohio's 1st Congressional District, one of the most closely watched toss-up House races in the country heading into the May 5, 2026 primary.
After Ohio's October 2025 redistricting pushed the district further into conservative territory, incumbent Democrat Greg Landsman now faces a tougher path to reelection. Radell covers Landsman's bipartisan record, his $1.83 million war chest, and what makes him competitive in a district Trump won in 2024. On the progressive side, challenger Damon Lynch is running a people-powered campaign with zero corporate PAC money, zero AIPAC money, and zero FEC dollars reported.
On the Republican side, Radell breaks down the real two-horse race between Eric Conroy (endorsed by Senator Bernie Moreno, former CIA officer, standard MAGA platform) and Steven Erbeck (the policy-specific dentist with libertarian leanings and more cash on hand). Plus, Holly Adams and her Turning Point USA Faith ties, and Rosemary Oglesby-Henry, the community-centered long shot with the most detailed platform in the field.
Beyond the primary, Radell covers critical Ohio news you need to know: the FirstEnergy bribery trial (the biggest corruption case in Ohio history, with Senator Jon Husted now on the witness stand), the Cleveland Browns stadium funding battle after a court blocked over $1 billion in unclaimed funds, Governor DeWine's final State of the State address focused on children's safety, Ohio's hemp ban repeal effort running out of time before the March 19 signature deadline, and fresh Ohio Democratic Party endorsements for attorney general, Supreme Court, and state auditor.
Whether you live in Ohio or just want to understand why local politics shapes everything, this episode gives you the facts, the candidates, and the context to make your own informed decision. Political solutions without political bias.
Listen, subscribe, and get involved. Voter registration deadline: April 6. Early voting: April 7 through May 3.
Standard Resource Links & Recommendations
The following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation:
PODCAST NETWORK
Check Out the Podcast Website: www.purplepoliticalbreakdown.com
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/
CONVERSATION PLATFORMS
HeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/
Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/
UNITY MOVEMENTS
Us United - A movement for unity that challenges Americans to step out of their bubbles and connect across differences. Take the Unity Pledge, join monthly "30 For US" conversation calls, wear purple (the color of unity), and participate in National Unity Day every second Saturday in December. Their programs include the Sheriff Unity Network and Unity Seats at sports events, proving that shared values are stronger than our differences. Link: https://www.us-united.org/
BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATION
OtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.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
Future is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse. Link: https://futureis.org/
POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
Independent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/
GET DAILY NEWS
Text 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now)
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
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Castbox
Goodpods
JioSaavn
Overcast
Anghami
Fountain
Gaana
PlayerFM
Rumble
YouTube
RSS Feed
