Ian Chamberlin

Scientific evidence and expert input should play an important role in policymaking. Ohio is home to outstanding universities, medical institutions, researchers, engineers, and innovators whose work contributes every day to the progress of our state and society. As a legislator, I would seek out that expertise and use the best available evidence to understand both the challenges we face and the likely consequences of the policies we consider.

I also believe policymakers should approach science with humility. Science is a process of discovery, and our understanding can change as new evidence emerges. When there is uncertainty or legitimate disagreement, government should be transparent about it. We should clearly communicate what we know, what we do not know, and why we are making a particular decision based on the information available.

Good policymaking means listening to experts while also considering the experiences of affected communities, economic realities, individual rights, and ethical considerations. When credible new evidence emerges, we should be willing to reconsider our assumptions and adjust policy accordingly.

Trust is built by being honest with people, not by overstating certainty.

Technological growth should not come at the expense of Ohio families, our natural resources, or the reliability of our infrastructure.

I support an Ohio-first approach to data center development. Large data centers should bear the costs of the additional electric, water, and infrastructure capacity their operations require rather than shifting those costs onto residential ratepayers. Communities should also have access to clear information about projected energy and water consumption before major projects are approved.

I support preserving meaningful local control over land-use decisions. What makes sense in one Ohio community may not make sense in another, and residents and local governments deserve a meaningful voice in development decisions.

Finally, Ohio needs a long-term energy strategy that expands reliable generation and grid capacity alongside technological growth. We should encourage innovation in energy efficiency, water conservation, and cooling technologies so that economic development and environmental stewardship reinforce one another.

Ohio can be a leader in advanced technology while protecting affordability, reliability, local communities, and our natural resources.

Government has an important role in supporting scientific research and innovation. I have seen that firsthand through my own career in Research Administration, working with the agreements and partnerships that help make academic research possible.

Ohio’s universities, medical centers, and research institutions are tremendous assets. Public investment can support important research where the potential benefit to society is significant, but the cost, risk, or time required may make private investment alone insufficient.

I support competitive, merit-based research funding that enables both fundamental discovery and research addressing real-world challenges. I also support strong partnerships among government, universities, healthcare institutions, industry, and entrepreneurs that can translate discoveries into better lives and new economic opportunities.

When evaluating these investments, I would prioritize scientific merit, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, transparency, and public benefit. Success can mean better health outcomes, stronger national security, new technologies, economic growth, or simply expanding our understanding in ways that enable tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

Ohio needs to maintain a strong scientific and technical workforce. Our universities and research institutions benefit from talented students and researchers from around the world, particularly in STEM fields.

The federal government has the responsibility to establish and enforce immigration and visa requirements, including appropriate national security safeguards. Ohio should respect that responsibility while ensuring that changes in federal policy do not unnecessarily weaken our universities, research institutions, or ability to compete for scientific talent.

I would support stronger partnerships among Ohio universities, employers, and state government to identify critical workforce and research gaps, expand STEM opportunities for Ohio students, and retain talented graduates who are legally eligible to remain and work in the United States.

Our long-term goal should be to develop more scientists and engineers here in Ohio while continuing to make our state a destination for talented people who can contribute to our universities, economy, and communities.