Sharon Ray, a Republican from Wadsworth, announced she will not seek reelection to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2026.
Ray, who represents Ohio’s 66th House District, said the decision comes after five years in office and reflects a desire to spend more time working on local issues closer to home.
“Living out of a suitcase three days a week has become increasingly difficult,” Ray said in a statement. “I would like to spend more time working on Medina County issues from my home base in Wadsworth.”
Ray made history as the first woman to represent the 66th District in Columbus and was later elected to House leadership in 2023 by colleagues from both parties. She highlighted accomplishments including legislation to modernize Ohio’s adoption process, creation of a community energy pilot program, and securing millions of dollars in funding for projects across Medina County, including emergency housing, parks, workforce training, and the Wadsworth Brickyard project.
Ray said she plans to serve out the final year of her term and thanked residents for their support, calling her time in office “the highlight of my career.”
The 66th House District covers most of Medina County.
