Don Leonard, the Democratic nominee in Ohio's 15th Congressional District, is facing scrutiny after stating he would mislead voters about his socialist views if it meant winning their support. During a March appearance on the Hilliard Beacon Podcast, Leonard denied being a democratic socialist but added, "Even if I were, I'd lie to the people of my district in order to get their votes," before praising Bernie Sanders.
Leonard, a former Ohio State University professor, has repeatedly aligned with left-wing causes. In December, he donated $100 to the Working Families Party (WFP), a progressive group that has endorsed democratic socialists like Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.). He also praised the WFP's proposal to tax billionaires to fund universal health care, affordable child care, and family leave policies.
Academic Advocacy for Social Democracy
In an August 2025 academic paper, Leonard argued the U.S. was "backsliding" due to populist leaders and called for a "Polanyian counter-movement towards a new social-democratic order," referencing Hungarian economist Karl Polanyi. Polanyi's work, particularly The Great Transformation, critiques unfettered capitalism and advocates for labor protections and social insurance programs. Leonard wrote that such a movement could lead to a "new New Deal moment" in America.
Leonard's comments about misleading voters are not his only controversial stance. He has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and was arrested in March at a "No Kings" protest for allegedly violating a noise ordinance and obstructing official business. Local media reported he was cited after refusing police instructions during a speech delivered via megaphone.
Ties to Left-Wing Movements
Leonard's campaign comes as Democrats seek to regain control of the House. The House Majority PAC, aligned with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.), found Leonard trailing GOP Rep. Mike Carey by 5 points in a poll. Republicans hold a slight advantage in the district, which President Joe Biden carried by less than 2 points in 2020.
The WFP, which Sanders once called the "closest thing there is to a political party that believes in my vision of democratic socialism," has endorsed progressive figures like Rep. Summer Lee (D., Pa.) and New York City Comptroller Zohran Mamdani. Lee delivered the WFP's response to Donald Trump's 2022 State of the Union address, advocating for Medicare for All and other left-wing policies.