Typical liberal college professor? Former prof unsurprisingly running as a Democrat for Congress

A former college professor who complained that “corporations and billionaires get trade deals, government bailouts and tax breaks” and acknowledged the Democratic Party’s shortcomings is hoping to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, R-Ohio.

Former Ohio State University Assistant Professor of Practice Don Leonard, who previously donated more than $35,000 to Democratic politicians, is running for Ohio’s 15th congressional district seat, describing himself as a “Medicaid kid” and a “do-something Democrat.” He appears to be one of at least six Democratic college professors or faculty members running for Congress this year.

According to The Lantern newspaper, Leonard stepped down from his post to mount a congressional run. However, before he can challenge Carey, he must first defeat former State Rep. Adam Miller, a retired Army Colonel, in the Democratic primary.

“The Democratic Party is broken. Working families don’t trust us anymore,” Leonard told The Columbus Dispatch.

During the 2026 election cycle, Leonard and other Ohio State-affiliated donors contributed $487,598 to political campaigns and committees, most of which were politically left-wing, according to Campus Reform.

“Leonard was the top contributor, donating approximately $36,929 to left-leaning committees,” the news source reported.

On his website’s biography page, Leonard said that the reason why he decided to run for office was that he didn’t want his newborn daughter to grow up in a world where the American government, according to him, does bad things, citing Senate Bill 1 that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in American colleges and universities and President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

While he is quick to glom onto popular liberal talking points, including alleging that the United States is currently on its way to becoming a “banana republic,” he didn’t provide any specific policies that would help Americans achieve success. He was also quiet on inflation under former President Joe Biden, which was about 21% during Biden’s one term in office.

“For more than 40 years, politicians have been trying to convince us that there isn’t enough to go around,” he wrote on his website, adding that the politicians are getting rid of “Ohio’s safety nets and public schools” to reduce the deficit. “Meanwhile, more and more folks are forced to take on second jobs, extra shifts, and credit card debt just to make ends meet. That isn’t how work is supposed to work.”

Leonard also wrote on his website that Americans should be able to live on a single income and afford to move out of their parents’ house as adults. Additionally, he wrote that Americans deserve affordable healthcare, childcare, and caregivers for elderly relatives.

Unsurprisingly, Leonard also opposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. He was arrested at a “No Kings” protest in Grove City, Ohio, on March 28 for refusing to cooperate with law enforcement and later criticized the officer who arrested him, alleging that the officer trampled on his First Amendment right, WOSU Public Media reported.

“At what point do First Amendment rights end and noise ordinance laws begin? That’s a question for us to have as a community,” he told WOSU.