Adam Mathews seeks third term in Ohio House District 56

Republican Adam Mathews is seeking a third term representing Ohio House District 56, which covers southwest and central Warren County including Mason, Lebanon and South Lebanon. He faces Democrat Laalitya Acharya in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Mathews said in our candidate questionnaire that he wants to "take what works in Warren County, pro-family, pro-business and limited-government principles, and bring them to the Statehouse." He added: "My goal is an Ohio where my kids can grow in virtue and have the economic opportunity to stay here, or come back here, to raise families of their own."

This profile is based on Mathews' responses to the Mason-Deerfield Times candidate questionnaire and publicly available records. All policy positions and claims about his record are attributed to the candidate.

Candidate information

Party: "Republican. My principles are pro-family, pro-business, and limited government."

Education: "University of Notre Dame: Juris Doctor, and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. I graduated from the Engineering Honors Program after completing a thesis on biomimetic material in service of the U.S. Army's efforts against improvised explosive devices (IEDs). St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati."

Family: "I have been married to my wife, Amanda, for 15 years. Together we are raising our five children, ages 13 to 2, in Lebanon."

Occupation: Mathews said he serves as "in-house counsel and chief data and privacy officer for Heartbeat International" and is "also a registered patent attorney in private practice." He said he began his career "as an engineer at Procter & Gamble, then served as a civilian engineer in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program." He is licensed and has appeared before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, according to his Ohio House biography.

Experience and public service

Mathews is serving his second term in the Ohio House, according to his Ohio House biography. He said in our questionnaire that he has held the seat "since January 2023" and also serves as "Chair, Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives." Previously, he said, he served as "Vice Mayor, City of Lebanon" and as a member of Lebanon City Council and the Lebanon Parks & Recreation Board.

On the issues

Property taxes: Asked about property tax relief, Mathews said: "Property tax relief is already law, and I helped deliver it." He said the General Assembly "passed the most significant property tax reform in 50 years" and that "House Bills 124, 129, 186, 309 and 335 cap unvoted property tax growth at inflation, expand the owner-occupancy credit and let county budget commissions roll back levies that collect more than needed. Together they save Ohio property owners more than $3 billion over three years." He also said he introduced "House Bill 443, the Senior Protection from Foreclosure Act, with Rep. David Thomas. If you are 65 or older and making payments, the county cannot foreclose on your home over property taxes."

Legislative record: Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Mathews said: "In two terms in the Ohio House, I have enacted 21 laws. They include the bills that became Ohio's 2.75% flat income tax, part of $3.2 billion in tax cuts." For Warren County, he said he "secured state funds that helped save the Cincinnati Open … and delivered local projects including the inclusive splash pad at the Countryside YMCA."

Next term: Asked which bill best reflects his priorities, Mathews said: "I sponsored the bills that became Ohio's 2.75% flat income tax. I championed legislation to enable more starter homes." He added: "Next term, I will work to finally eliminate Ohio's personal income tax and to bring more nuclear power and more housing."

Ballot initiatives: Asked about changing the rules for citizen-led ballot initiatives, Mathews said: "Given what is in the Ohio Constitution today, I am firmly against making it harder to change." He said the photo ID voting requirement should be protected in the constitution: "I support Issue 3 on this November's ballot to put that protection in our constitution."