Education is personal for Sophia. Her mother spent her career as a teacher in the Cleveland inner city schools, instilling in Sophia a deep respect for the educators who show up every day for every child. And as a mother who raised four children through the public schools, she has lived the system from the inside out.

Sophia believes every child deserves a quality education — and that starts with fair, predictable, and honest funding. Most of our District’s tax money never reaches our schools. Sophia will work in Columbus to make sure that the Fair School Funding Plan is fair for all districts, especially District 16, while addressing each school’s needs for improved services and excellent student performance.

Sophia also supports making higher education affordable and accessible for every Westside student — whether that means a four-year university, a community college, or a skilled trades program. She will work in Columbus to ensure that cost is never the barrier that stands between a young person and their future.

Safety is the foundation of a community’s quality of life. Sophia will protect and strengthen the funding that supports our police, fire departments, and first responders.

She knows that quality of life goes beyond safety - our parks, green spaces, and recreation programs are also an essential component. Sophia will advocate for the investments that keep our neighborhoods green, beautiful, clean, thriving, and welcoming for families of all ages.

As a lifelong boater, Sophia knows what Lake Erie means to the Westside’s way of life, our economy, and our region’s beauty. Sophia will work in Columbus to support H2Ohio and other efforts to protect the Lake from harmful algae blooms, microplastics, pollution, and neglect so that future generations can enjoy the same natural treasure we enjoy today.

As a small business owner and employer herself, Sophia knows firsthand what it takes to build a company from the ground up. She supports policies that encourage economic growth, reduce unnecessary government burdens, and help businesses create opportunities. She will fight for a low-tax, low-regulation environment that gives local businesses the freedom to grow, compete, and create more jobs. She will work directly with Westside employers to identify the state regulations that are holding them back and champion real remedies in Columbus.

Ohioans have lost trust in their government’s use of their hard-earned money. They deserve a government that is fiscally responsible. Every elected public official should do their best to ensure that tax dollars are used for the purpose they were intended. Sophia will carefully scrutinize Ohio’s budget and spending. Transparency and fiscal discipline are the basics of good governance - Sophia will make them a priority in Columbus.