Shawn Kaeser, a Republican and longtime history teacher in Dublin City Schools, is running for Ohio House of Representatives District 11 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democrat Crystal Lett.

Kaeser ran uncontested in the Republican primary on May 5, 2026, receiving 5,238 votes, according to Ballotpedia. District 11 covers parts of the Hilliard and Dublin areas.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Ohio House of Representatives, District 11
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in history education, Wright State University (1994); master's degree in education, Wright State University (1998); master's degree in divinity/ministry, Grace College & Seminary (2005); master's degree in social sciences, Ohio University (2019)
  • Family: Father of nine children, according to his campaign website

Experience

Kaeser has taught history at Dublin City Schools since 1995, according to BallotReady profile data. He also serves as an adjunct professor of history at Colorado Christian University and Lamar State College Orange, and an adjunct professor of social sciences at the University of Maine at Augusta.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Kaeser's campaign website and his BallotReady questionnaire responses.

Taxes and spending: Kaeser said Ohio should reduce government spending, reform property tax and lower taxes overall. He said taxes have pushed many Ohioans into financial hardship, with the elderly often carrying the heaviest burden. He said Dublin and Hilliard are not part of the conversation on tax relief and reform and need to be.

Education: Kaeser said schools should focus on academic content, use more books and fewer screens, eliminate grade inflation, build grit and resilience, and prioritize regular attendance. He said school districts should be required to serve gifted and talented students, not just identify them. He also called for limiting technology use in elementary schools and said artificial intelligence must not replace what he called "Organic Intelligence." At the secondary level, he said students need access to college-level courses, hands-on training in the trades and practical experience through internships. He said districts should be required to offer a course in Ohio history.

Housing: Kaeser said the state must address the housing shortage by reducing regulations that drive up construction costs for new homes. He also said safeguards are needed to ensure rising costs do not force people on fixed incomes out of their homes.

Energy: Kaeser said Ohio should leverage its own natural resources to lower energy costs for residential consumers and small businesses.

Endorsements

The following endorsements were claimed by the endorsing organizations, according to BallotReady profile data:

  • Ohio Republican Party
  • Franklin County Republican Party

Candidate positions in this profile are based on Kaeser's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire responses. The Hilliard Herald will publish a profile of Crystal Lett when information becomes available.