She was a rambunctious puppy, a little small for her age. There was no science behind the name. I liked it and young me had no idea that it wasn’t a great fit for a gray, black, and white dog. It was not a reference to Gilligan’s Island. Had it been, her name would have been Both, which is silly for a dog.

Ginger II was where the name was attached to that breed. Ginger II was a two-year-old adult whose owner had to give the dog up as part of a children’s service case with the county. The dog was fine with kids so I can only presume that the county decided that the owner was incapable of caring properly for her kids and the dog.

We visited Ginger II at her home. She was the only one there and she was tied in the back yard with half a can of green beans and some water in a bowl that may have been cleaned the prior summer. Maybe.

After the owner showed up (yes, the dog was tied up outside with no one home), we discussed the dog’s temperament and decided she was probably a good fit. Jayne and I wanted to think it over. As we were leaving, our younger son asked/pleaded, “We’re not just going to leaver her there, are we?”

So, the thinking over was done. When we got home we decided we did not like her given name, Hera. We weren’t sure what to call her. Our younger son looked at us very matter-of-factly and said, “When you have a dog who looks like that, you name her Ginger.”

Unassailable logic. The same logic that led to Sam II, a black cat who would end up being Ginger II’s best companion. So, while I get blamed for the naming, it is as simple as a four-year-old child’s logic. A four-year-old who would not let his parents leave a dog in the neglected situation Ginger II was in.

Jayne jokes periodically that she’s safe from divorce because I’d never find another Jayne (with a ‘y’) to replace her. I remind her that we did not find Ginger II and Ginger III; we renamed them. Any subsequent theoretical wife would simply have to change her first name to Jayne.

Fortunately, that is never going to be an issue in this house. Staring at a 41^st anniversary, I think she’s locked in for life. Ginger IV? That’s a story for another day – a day when today’s pain is replaced by tomorrow’s joyful memories.

For years, I built tools and solved problems as a software designer. Over time, that work evolved into a second act—one focused on public policy research, especially around health care and income inequality. My hope was to partner with national elected officials to advance updated, progressive legislation: broader health coverage, greater economic security, smarter policy.

But after the 2024 elections, that hope hit a wall. I watched the Democratic Party lose race after race—including the presidency, and Ohio’s Senate seat—to candidates whose vision, I believe, does not serve the middle class. Too often, the party defends legacy programs instead of creating new ones. The messaging feels dated. The tone is defensive. And meanwhile, hardship grows.

My frustration turned to anger after ICE raids made national headlines. I have family abroad who now view the U.S. as nearly a police state. Like many, I’ve marched, called, written letters. And I still believe in the power of collective action. But something shifted. I realized protest alone wasn’t enough.

So I’ve decided to run for the U.S. Senate.

Not to preserve what’s comfortable. Not to gesture at change. But to deliver the bold reforms Ohio’s working families deserve. Yes, it’s an uphill climb. I’ve never held elected office. But I’ve spent a lifetime learning systems, solving problems, and refusing to quit. My belief in Ohioans—and in the values I grew up with—tells me this mission matters.

I’ll begin with the Democratic Primary in May 2026, followed by a special general election to complete the remaining two years of the term to which JD Vance was elected in 2022.

This campaign is personal. Let me tell you why.

🏘️ Roots in Ohio’s Working Class

I was born in Dayton, Ohio, and spent my early childhood living with my parents, sister, and brother in rental homes around North Dayton. I attended kindergarten at Loos Elementary, a feeder to Fairview High School.

In 1964, my father found a union job at NCR — National Cash Register Company — which changed our fortunes. For Daytonians of a certain age, NCR’s massive campus around Brown Street was iconic.

That union job allowed our family to purchase a modest home in Centerville, a village of 6,000 at the time. It was the first home my father ever owned. Our neighborhood was filled with modest brick homes and fathers who wore oil-stained blue t-shirts to work third shift. My dad's lunch? A black pail with a thermos and a ham sandwich — the floor’s heat would toast the bread and melt the slice of American cheese. Crude by today’s standards, maybe, but to him it was comfort food.

Our family home in Centerville—modest, meaningful, and full of memories.

📉 The Vanishing Middle Class

What we experienced — homeownership, good schools, community — was the American Dream. Today, for many Ohioans, it’s out of reach. Nearly half couldn’t pay a $1,000 car repair bill, much less afford a down payment on a house.

And why? We've worked hard. Our parents worked hard. Our grandparents worked hard. But the dividends from our labor went to those with capital, not calluses — to executives and shareholders, not machinists and lunch-pail workers.

When NCR left Dayton, it took the jobs and left the workers. Those who stayed were the ones who had built the company — and they got nothing. Then came automation, replacing labor with machines. With AI, that trend is accelerating.

💡 The American Dividend Plan

That’s why I’m running. When we win this Senate seat, I’ll pass the American Dividend Plan—a monthly check for every person between the ages of 18 and 65 who earns $75,000 or less.

This dividend helps families manage emergencies—a car repair, a medical bill, a broken appliance—and offers a soft landing when life takes a hard turn. Importantly, we know from pilot programs that these payments increase employment. Poverty isn't just a barrier—it’s the biggest one.

States can choose to opt in, and Ohio will be first in line. I’ll work with our next governor to implement this program.

🏥 A Smarter Safety Net

For those receiving Medicaid and SNAP, we’ll offer an additional monthly payment based on family size, with the stipulation that they’ll transition to subsidized ACA health plans instead of Medicaid and use this benefit instead of SNAP. For those for whom Medicaid remains their best or only viable option, they will continue with that plan.

We will use the savings to improve provider reimbursement, assuring recipients that they can find a broader selection of providers.

This enhanced support lasts two years—enough time to seek employment and build a career. And our Medicaid safety net will still remain for those who experience job disruption.

We’ll reform ACA rules to:

• Encourage plans with tax-free Health Savings Accounts

• Cap out-of-pocket costs based on income, ensuring no one goes bankrupt from medical bills

🔄 Rebuilding the Middle

This plan restores America’s spinning top: a healthy middle class at the center of our economy. They buy homes, cars, and groceries. They fuel growth.

🧠 A Memory That Stays With Me

My father passed away in 2014. I often wish I’d asked him:
How did it feel that first day in the Centerville home?

I suspect it was pride—the kind every Ohioan deserves.

That memory fuels my commitment to rebuild the middle class — not just in numbers, but in dignity.

🤝 Let’s Chat Further

I’d love to hear from you:

• What concerns you most right now?

• What do you hope to see from your next Senator?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. I’m listening.

📬 Stay Connected

If this message resonates, I hope you’ll subscribe, share, and stay connected.
This campaign is just beginning—and I’d be honored to have you with me.

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Paid for by Ron Kincaid for Senate