Incumbent Rep. Rick Carfagna is the Republican candidate for Ohio’s District 68 House of Representatives seat.
Genoa resident Carfagna grew up working in his family’s small business and later spent 14 years at a major corporation. He also served in local government as a Genoa Township trustee for seven years before moving on to Ohio’s House of Representatives, where he has lent his experience in the both private and public sectors to lawmaking since 2016.
“I have also spent a considerable amount of time and effort over my two terms in office cultivating relationships with the business community, local governments, K-12 schools and higher education facilities in my district to understand the impact of state policies on their operations,” Carfagna told the Mount Vernon News.
Over his years of service, Carfagna learned that many of the district residents' concerns could be met by strengthening the economy.
“People want to make sure at the end of the day they have access to gainful employment so they can provide for themselves and their families,” he said. “In my current term, I’ve worked hard to enhance our workforce, modernize our infrastructure and protect our economy.”
Recently, Carfagna helped protect responsible businesses through Ohio’s COVID-19 Liability Immunity bill. If reelected, he will continue to work on legislation to bring highspeed internet access to unserved parts of Knox County and the state, which has become particularly relevant with increased reliance on remote work and services because of COVID-19.
Carfagna addressed social inequity by co-sponsoring the Fresh Start bill to remove the blanket ban on applicants for occupational licenses with criminal records. Considering the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, he said this bill would especially help empower individuals in racial minorities to have a second chance at the American Dream.
With meth usage proliferating in Knox County, Carfagna plans to work to expand the eligibility of funds to treat all addictions while addressing the root of the issue by providing K-12 schools with flexible funding for substance abuse and mental health services.
“If we can properly diagnose our children early and get them access to the services they need, we can avoid them struggling in school, turning to drugs and alcohol later to self-medicate, committing crimes and then becoming warehoused in our prison system,” Carfagna said.
Currently, he is working to reform public school funding, including resolving tax burden inequities between districts.
A husband and father, Carfagna is pro-life and dedicated to providing resources for single parents.
