Nick Hubbell, a lifelong Johnstown resident, is running to represent District 20 in the Ohio Senate this November. If he wins, he’ll be the first Democrat to hold the position in nearly 50 years. 

Hubbell is a member of Gen Z – generally defined as someone born between 1996-2012 – and is the youngest candidate running to represent Licking County residents this election. 

“It’s time we send a Gen-Z, community-first advocate to the Ohio Statehouse,” Hubbell posted on his donation website. “It’s time for New Leaders to Fight for Stronger Communities.” 

Hubbell, who was born in 1999, is running against the 61-year-old incumbent Senator Tim Schaffer from Lancaster. Hubbell did not respond to The Reporting Project’s multiple requests for an interview or requests to participate in the Oct. 10 candidate forum, co-hosted by The Reporting Project, WCLT Radio and the Licking County Farm Bureau. 

Read more: Miss the live Licking County candidate forum? Listen here!

According to his website, Hubbell grew up involved in Boy Scouts, eventually earning Eagle Scout rank, and helping out on his family’s small farm. He raised and showed sheep and goats. According to Hubbell’s LinkedIn, he earned his associate of arts degree at The Ohio State University Newark campus and a bachelor’s degree in political science at The Ohio State University in Columbus. 

“We are a vast district with diverse needs, but we all share one thing: a love of community,” Hubbell wrote on his website. “While helping on my family’s small farm, raising and showing sheep and goats at the county fair, I learned the real importance of ‘it takes a village.’”

Hubbell worked a union job as a retail associate at Kroger from 2016 to 2023. The job taught him hard work, determination and the value of a dollar, he wrote. According to his website, Hubbell values a union’s right to organize and believes workers should be fairly compensated and protected. 

On his website, Hubbell states that the minimum wage in Ohio should be raised to $15 per hour, up from the current $10.45 per hour for non-tipped workers and $5.25 per hour for tipped employees. A scheduled increase in minimum wage will bring hourly pay up to $10.70 and $5.35 respectively on Jan. 1, 2025. 

“No one’s paycheck should come up short after clocking in 40 hours,” Hubbell said.

Hubbell said he believes it is important to have affordable housing because of the growth coming to District 20, which encompasses Licking and Fairfield counties. He wanted to ensure that families could set roots in the community. He said he hopes to hear the concerns of the community and collaborate on solutions. 

“In the face of rapid growth, our region requires a housing strategy that preserves its character and keeps communities whole,” Hubbell said online. 

According to his website, Hubbell said people are attracted to Johnstown because of the “small-town atmosphere with friendly faces nearby.” While the community continues to grow he wants to help navigate the delicate balance of progress and preserving its identity by leading responsible change.

Because Hubbell grew up on a small family farm, he writes that he is a big advocate for farmers. He believes in sustainable agriculture and wants to support programs for agricultural jobs. Hubbell also supports connections between local farms and communities, or the idea of “farm-to-fork.”

According to his website, Hubbell is pro-choice and plans to oppose any legislation that intrudes on an individual’s personal decisions. Hubbell is an adopted son and is also an advocate of adoption, he wrote.

Hubbell hopes to allocate funds to homeless shelters to support unhoused people in District 20. He wants every individual to be supported on their road to recovery.

“We deserve a State Senator who will be a voice for all of us, including our most vulnerable,  and not leave anyone behind,” Hubbell said. 

Caroline Zollinger writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.