Lyndsey Stough
Independent for Ohio House District 44
I didn't leave a party — I never joined one in the first place. I'm running because I believe we deserve better.
You're fed up with politics and
I see you.
You feel stretched thin, worried about the future, and frustrated by the government that is supposed to represent you. The common all-or-nothing attitude — where you're expected to agree 100% or you're the enemy — is driving good people away from each other.
I see it elsewhere too. On City Council, in my community, in the people I work with every day. I've spent my career designing and managing complex projects that serve everyone — and I'm ready to bring that same approach to Columbus.
Meet Lyndsey
I'm an architect, a council member, and a Sylvania native. I'm third-generation at Stough & Stough Architects, the family firm established in 1984.
For 15 years, I've been designing and managing complex public projects — including multiple K-12 schools — balancing competing needs and tight budgets to deliver results that serve communities for decades. That experience gives me a ground-level understanding of how school funding, property taxes, and state policy intersect. I chair the council's Buildings & Grounds Committee and serve on the Parks, Safety, and Zoning committees. Outside of council, I've served in numerous community organizations including Toledo SOUP, EPIC Toledo, Heritage Sylvania, and the AIA Toledo chapter.
My father served as Mayor for 29 years while running the family architecture firm. I grew up watching public service from the inside — I saw what worked and what didn't. But I'm not running because of my last name. I'm running because I believe in fiscal responsibility, strong public schools, and protecting individual freedoms — and you shouldn’t have to pick a party to stand for all of those things.
I am a graduate of both The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan. My husband and I live in Sylvania.
Why Independent?
Neither party felt right for me, so I found other ways to serve my community. Now that work has opened a path to serve at a higher level.
A Gallup poll released in January shows a record high of 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025. Independents outnumbered the 27% of Democrat and 27% of Republican responses. The demand is there — the supply hasn't been.
Ohio voters haven't had an independent representative in the General Assembly in generations. This race — an open seat, a ready public, and a moderate district — is the right moment to change that.
As an Independent, I answer directly to the district. Not party bosses, not special interest donors, not lobbyists. Just the people I represent.
I’m Listening
As an architect, I've learned that the best results come from understanding what people actually need before drawing up plans.
Every signature starts with a conversation — and what I keep hearing is clear:
lower the cost of everyday essentials like healthcare, groceries, and utilities
deliver property tax relief
reduce unnecessary government spending
strengthen local public schools
These aren't partisan issues — they’re the issues families are facing right now, and they deserve practical solutions, not political gridlock. Those conversations are shaping this campaign, and I'll have more to share as it continues.
Let’s talk soon!
Path to the Ballot
I need 248 signatures, almost five times the minimum for party candidates. The signature threshold for Independent candidates in Ohio is higher — but so is the readiness for an independent voice. We’ve got this.
The petition filing deadline is May 4, 2026.
Sign the petition, volunteer, or stay connected.