Prediction Edge
Republican
Josh Williams

Josh Williams

Overview

Current roleState Representative

PartyRepublican

Political ideologyConservative Republican

Age41 years old (Jun 21, 1984)

GenderMale

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LocationOhio

BackgroundAttorney

EducationUniversity of Toledo (B.S.)

Notable personal detailsJoshua E. Williams is a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives representing District 44, serving since January 1, 2023, and has served as a majority whip in the 136th General Assembly. He is an attorney and teaches constitutional law, criminal law, and criminal procedure at Adrian College. Williams earned degrees from the University of Toledo and a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law. He ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. House in Ohio’s 9th congressional district in 2026.

SourcesShow

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports property tax relief and reforms to limit or eliminate unexpected local property tax increases, and has sponsored or voted for legislation that caps property-tax growth and prohibits replacement property tax levies. Advocates measures intended to reduce tax burdens on homeowners and increase transparency in local levies. No evidence found of support for major tax increases on high earners or broad wealth-redistribution policies.

Healthcare

Supports state-level programs and measures that increase access to specific health services (for example, parenting and pregnancy program grants and legislation to help state employees access GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs), but has no clear public record advocating for broad national reforms such as Medicare for All or explicit positions on ACA expansion or Medicaid policy in available sources.

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Immigration & Border

The candidate supports stronger immigration enforcement measures, including requiring use of E-Verify on covered construction projects and legislation to require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and check immigration status. His proposals focus on stricter enforcement and data collection about unauthorized immigrants in Ohio.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

The candidate opposes abortion access and identifies as pro-life, supports measures to stop public funding for abortion services and to restrict certain abortion procedures, and has sponsored legislation imposing informed-consent and waiting-period requirements for abortions. He has described intentional termination of pregnancy in strongly condemnatory terms and supported ending late-term abortions.

Climate & Energy

Supports energy independence and criticizes regulations and mandates that harm local manufacturing jobs; emphasizes protecting fossil-fuel-dependent industries and market-driven solutions over aggressive mandates. Positions emphasize limiting regulation to protect jobs and economic growth rather than pursuing aggressive emissions phase-outs or Green New Deal–style policies.

Public Safety & Guns

Supports the Second Amendment and legal gun ownership while opposing changes that would affect law-abiding gun owners; favors tougher criminal penalties for offenders who commit violent crimes with firearms and sponsors legislation to restore gun rights for certain nonviolent offenders. Focuses on removing guns from violent, repeat offenders rather than adding broad restrictions for lawful owners.

Polls

OH-09 Republican nominee?
Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
14%
33%
10%
Josh Williams
J. Williams
Derek Merrin
D. Merrin
Madison Sheahan
M. Sheahan
Alea Nadeem
A. Nadeem
Date (Start - End)SpreadWilliamsMerrinSheahanNadeem
Polling Average
Merrin+19.0
14.0%33.0%10.0%4.0%
J.L. PartnersApr 11 - 16
Merrin+19.0
14.0%33.0%10.0%4.0%

Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne

Fundraising

Latest report: Cycle 2026
Total raisedCash on hand
$851.8K
$638.8K
$425.9K
$212.9K
$0

2026

Latest
Year
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate

Cycle 2026

$851.8K
$135.8K
$716.0K
$44.7K

Source: FEC

New updates coming soon

We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.

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