Jodi Salvo (left) and Amanda Fontana.
At least two names will be on the primary ballot for the Ohio House of Representatives 51st District seat.
Jodi Salvo is the current officer holder, winning the election in 2024, and has launched a re-election campaign. Salvo says she’s seeking another term because her work is not done.
“Bringing my background and expertise to the children and human service committee. Contributing on issues such as substance use and mental health. Think I’m working on 12 bills now and probably 7 or 8 come from Tuscarawas or Stark county and things that really matter to our community.”
Recently announcing her bid is Amanda Fontana. With a background of dropping out of high school, being a teen mom, living in extreme poverty, and a survivor of domestic violence, Fontana says she knows what it’s like to worry about rising living costs, access to healthcare, and challenges of navigating educational, criminal justice, and public assistance systems.
“And it felt every time you’d get ahead a little bit you were just kind of kicked right back down. There’s a huge portion of our community experiencing the same things and what is currently happening in the state legislatures and federal level is going to increase the number of people experiencing those kinds of difficulties and barriers.”
Fontana earned her GED and followed it up by ultimately getting a master’s degree in social work. She’s now an adjunct professor at Stark State College.
Fontana also serves on the board of education for New Philadelphia City School, is on a committee for the Tuscarawas Board of Developmental Disabilities, is an advocate for families who have kids with disabilities, and is on the directors board for Friends of the Homeless.
The deadline for declarations of candidacy for partisan candidates must be filed by February 4th.
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