Jerrad Christian
DemocraticQ1 Q1 (Scientific Expertise and Governance): Scientific and technical expertise can inform decisions related to healthcare, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and emerging technologies. What role, if any, should scientific evidence and expert input play in your policymaking process, and how would you communicate scientific uncertainty or evolving evidence to the public?
Scientific evidence should be the foundation of good policymaking, alongside the lived experience of the people affected. I would listen to qualified experts, examine the evidence, and remain willing to change course as that evidence evolves. When there is uncertainty, I would communicate it honestly rather than pretending we know more than we do.
Q2 Q2 (Artificial Intelligence): Rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and large-scale data centers are increasing demand for energy and water infrastructure. Over 100 local Ohio communities have active moratoriums on data centers. What policies, if any, would you support to balance technological growth and economic opportunities with infrastructure reliability and environmental sustainability?
I would support a moratorium on new large-scale data centers until we understand their impact on Ohio’s power, water, land, and communities. They should pay the full cost of the infrastructure they require, not shift those costs onto Ohio families, and communities should have a meaningful voice in whether they are built. Technological growth should serve Ohioans, not come at their expense.
Q3 Q3 (Science Funding): Government research funding supports universities, medical centers, and technology development across Ohio and the nation. What role, if any, should the government play in supporting scientific research and innovation, and what outcomes would you prioritize when evaluating those investments?
Government should fund scientific research that serves the public interest, especially basic research that private industry may not fund on its own. I would prioritize investments that improve lives, strengthen public infrastructure, expand opportunity, and advance knowledge, while measuring outcomes honestly and protecting research from political interference.
Q4 Q4 (Jobs & Workforce): Ohio has the ninth largest international student population in the U.S., the majority of which study in STEM fields.The federal government is pursuing large-scale changes to student visa approval, including increased visa denials, revoking existing visas, restricting travel from certain countries, and decreasing student visa durations. How, if at all, should Ohio respond to federal visa changes affecting international STEM students and researchers, and the resulting projected changes in the scientific workforce supply?
I would support making it easier for graduates in critical STEM fields to remain and work in Ohio, while investing in Ohio’s own STEM education and workforce. We should not make it harder for talented people to contribute to our scientific and economic future. Keeping these students after graduation could help welcome the industries of the future to our state.