Treasurer of State of Ohio · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Ohio treasurer of state race?
Jay Edwards has the strongest record in the Ohio treasurer of state race. Jay Edwards scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Seth Walsh at 59, as of October 9, 2026. Jay Edwards's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Seth Walsh's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Strongest record
Jay Edwards
65 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 75
Democratic
Seth Walsh
59 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- 50
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Jay Edwards
- On the record2026-10-09
Appeared in FBI recordings gathered in the House Bill 6 bribery case against Householder and has not been charged; he says he had nothing to do with the scheme.
Sources: Cincinnati Enquirer via Yahoo News, Oct. 9, 2026, Signal Ohio, April 10, 2026
- On the record2026-04-10
His 2025 financial disclosure listed more than 42 gifts of $75 or more; he told Signal Ohio some listed givers probably gave him nothing and that he over-reported.
Source: Signal Ohio, April 10, 2026
- On the record2023
Told ethics officials in a 2023 letter that he had learned a September 2019 dinner with Householder, about $2,400 in total, had not been disclosed, and asked counsel about amending his statement.
Source: Signal Ohio, April 10, 2026
- On the record2022-02-17
Said in February 2022 that former Speaker Householder, then under federal indictment, still texted him about pending legislation from time to time.
- On the record2021-06-16
Was one of 20 Republicans and one Democrat who voted against expelling indicted former Speaker Larry Householder, whom he called a friend; the House expelled Householder 75 to 21.
Source: Athens Messenger, June 17, 2021
- Credit2023-2024
The Center for Effective Lawmaking ranked him first in the Ohio House for 2023 to 2024, Above expectations, with four of his bills enacted while he chaired the Finance Committee.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file, Ballotpedia, Jay Edwards
- Credit2023-2024
As House Finance Committee chair helped write Ohio's operating and capital budgets.
Source: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026
Seth Walsh
- On the record2026-10-01
Serves as a trustee of the Cincinnati Retirement System and on council committees for finance, housing, infrastructure and economic development.
Source: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026
- On the record2022-12-19
Was appointed in December 2022 to the Cincinnati City Council seat vacated by Greg Landsman, who was elected to Congress.
Sources: Cincinnati Enquirer via Yahoo News, Oct. 9, 2026, Ballotpedia, Seth Walsh
- Credit2026-10-01
Founded the Sedamsville Community Development Corporation and later led the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation.
Source: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026
- Credit2016-2022
Led community development work in Cincinnati's Sedamsville and College Hill neighborhoods; the Cincinnati Enquirer reports College Hill saw a surge of new projects under his leadership.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Jay Edwards. In a 2023 letter to ethics officials, reported by Signal Ohio, he acknowledged a September 2019 dinner of about $2,400 had not been disclosed and asked to correct it; no penalty was found.
Source: Signal Ohio, April 10, 2026
Seth Walsh. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Jay Edwards. No public record found.
Seth Walsh. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Jay Edwards. Confirmed for the Sept. 14, 2026 county treasurers and auditors candidate forum. No 2026 treasurer debate found; did not respond to the League of Women Voters primary questionnaire.
Source: County Treasurers Association of Ohio, candidates forum listing
Seth Walsh. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Jay Edwards. Eight years in the Ohio House, including majority whip and Finance Committee chair, with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found. He appeared in FBI recordings in the House Bill 6 case and was not charged.
Seth Walsh. Cincinnati City Council member since December 2022 and former head of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation, with no formal conduct finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Seth Walsh
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Jay Edwards. Sworn state representative from 2017 to 2024 with no misuse-of-office finding and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Jay Edwards
Seth Walsh. Has held sworn office on Cincinnati City Council since December 2022 with no misuse-of-office finding and no action to reject certified results found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Jay Edwards. Four terms in the Ohio House (2017 to 2024) for the 94th District, where he was majority whip and chair of the House Finance Committee and helped write the operating and capital budgets.
Sources: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jay Edwards
Seth Walsh. Cincinnati City Council member since 2022, serving on finance and budget committees and the Cincinnati Retirement System board; earlier founded the Sedamsville Community Development Corporation and led the College Hill CURC.
Source: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Jay Edwards. Chaired the House Finance Committee (2023 to 2024) and was majority whip. Plans: move unclaimed funds oversight to the treasurer, invest more in Ohio communities, and press pension systems for transparency with retirees.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jay Edwards, Cincinnati Enquirer via Yahoo News, Oct. 9, 2026
Seth Walsh. Specific plans within the office's powers: shift state deposits toward Ohio community banks, reverse the law allowing BBB-rated bond investments, end new foreign investments and appoint independent pension board members.
Source: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Jay Edwards. Two channels documented: published campaign positions and a confirmed county officials forum. Did not respond to the League of Women Voters primary questionnaire or Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County voters guide, May 5, 2026 primary, Ballotpedia, Jay Edwards
Seth Walsh. Two channels documented: answered the League of Women Voters primary questionnaire and publishes campaign positions. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County voters guide, May 5, 2026 primary, Ballotpedia, Seth Walsh
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Jay Edwards. A Nelsonville native who lives there and represented southeastern Ohio in the House for eight years.
Sources: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026, Cincinnati Enquirer via Yahoo News, Oct. 9, 2026
Seth Walsh. Raised in St. Joseph, Michigan; has lived in Cincinnati since 2009 and serves on its city council (documented local service). Lives downtown.
Sources: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026, Cincinnati Enquirer via Yahoo News, Oct. 9, 2026
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Jay Edwards. Real estate agent and property investor before office; as Finance chair helped write the state operating and capital budgets. No Ohio finding against his campaigns found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Jay Edwards
Seth Walsh. Led the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation and founded the Sedamsville Community Development Corporation. No Ohio finding against his campaigns found.
Source: NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Jay Edwards. Center for Effective Lawmaking rated him Above expectations for 2023 to 2024 (first in the Ohio House, four bills enacted) and Meets for 2017 to 2018, Below for 2019 to 2022; five sponsored bills became law.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Seth Walsh. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports College Hill saw a surge of new projects under his leadership; his campaign credits him with more than $85 million in development funding for 110 housing units.
Sources: Cincinnati Enquirer via Yahoo News, Oct. 9, 2026, NBC4 WCMH via MSN, Oct. 1, 2026
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Jay Edwards. No public record found.
Seth Walsh. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Jay Edwards. No public record found.
Seth Walsh. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Jay Edwards. No public record found.
Seth Walsh. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Jay Edwards. No public record found.
Seth Walsh. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Ohio treasurer of state race?
Jay Edwards has the strongest record in the Ohio treasurer of state race. Jay Edwards scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Seth Walsh at 59, as of October 9, 2026. Jay Edwards's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Seth Walsh's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Ohio treasurer of state race in 2026?
Jay Edwards (Republican), Seth Walsh (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Jay Edwards a good candidate for Treasurer of State?
Jay Edwards scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Seth Walsh a good candidate for Treasurer of State?
Seth Walsh scores 59 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Ohio race scored, and the Ohio 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.