Heather L. Sample
Democrat | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
North Central State, Mansfield, Paralegal Studies, 2005-
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Ashland County Democratic Party, Chair, 2024-
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Ashland City Council Ward 2, 2021-
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (5)
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
Matriots
Ohio Education Association
Blue Ohio PAC
Northern Medina County Democrats
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
The Matriots PAC
Ken Harbaugh
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
Ohio Education Association
Brian Poindexter
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Heather L. Sample (2026)
Kathy Salem (2024)
Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (2023)
Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights (2023)
Marilyn Zayas (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Heather L. Sample (2026)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Heather believes decisions about pregnancy belong to women—not politicians. Whether someone is facing pregnancy from rape, a serious health complication, or another deeply personal circumstance, frankly, it is not our place to choose for them. These decisions should be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor and the people she trusts. Heather will defend reproductive freedom and oppose government interference in private medical decisions.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Disagree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Neutral
Only if the person whose eggs are frozen, should be able to make that choice.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Heather believes the minimum wage should be a living wage. No one working full-time should live in poverty. Raising it to $15 an hour is a strong start, and we should explore a path toward a $20 federal minimum wage as costs continue to rise.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Neutral
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Heather’s five priorities for eliminating government waste are: reviewing unnecessary salaried positions, auditing inefficient programs and agencies, improving efficiency in local courts, policing and transportation systems, ending wasteful spending tied to excessive legislative recesses and private sessions, and increasing transparency so taxpayers can see exactly where their money goes and hold government accountable.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Heather believes there must be a clear separation of church and state. Every American has the right to practice their faith, but elected officials are sent to the halls of power to make laws that improve life for everyone—not just those who share their religious beliefs. Government must protect religious freedom while ensuring no single faith dictates our laws or limits the rights and freedoms of others.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Heather believes every American should have access to affordable, government-provided healthcare while preserving the option to choose private insurance. Healthcare should never be determined by income or employment. A strong public option can guarantee basic coverage, while private plans allow individuals and families to choose the coverage that best fits their needs. The goal is simple: affordable care, more choices, and no one left behind. So, B
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Heather believes America should maintain strong international partnerships, but those relationships must reflect our commitment to human rights. The devastation and loss of civilian life in Gaza are unacceptable. At this time, Heather does not believe the U.S.–Israel relationship, as it currently stands, serves our nation’s best interests. American foreign policy must demand accountability and prioritize peace, human dignity, and international law.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Agree
Heather supports allowing communities to adopt sanctuary policies that help undocumented residents safely report crimes, cooperate with local authorities, and access essential services. She also believes immigration laws should be enforced fairly and that local resources should focus on public safety. Her approach is to balance humane treatment of immigrants with accountability, community safety, and a functional legal immigration system.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Neutral
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Neutral
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Neutral
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Disagree
Heather believes every person is created by God with inherent dignity and worth. Being LGBTQ+ does not make someone less human, less deserving of respect, or less worthy of equal treatment. It is not a “lifestyle” that government should condemn. Regardless of who someone is or whom they love, Heather believes every American deserves the same freedoms, opportunities, protections, and respect under the law.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Heather is a baptized member of the Brethren Church and believes in a higher power. Her faith has helped shape her personal values, including compassion, service, dignity, and respect for others. At the same time, Heather believes faith is personal and that government should not be run with a Bible—or any religious text—in hand. Elected officials represent people of every faith and those with no religious affiliation. Heather respects Christianity and all other religious traditions while firmly supporting religious freedom and the separation of church and state. She believes government should protect every American’s right to worship, believe, or not believe freely and equally.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Agree
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Neutral
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Agree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Heather believes renewable energy is an important part of America’s future. Investing in solar, wind, and other clean energy can create jobs, strengthen energy independence, lower long-term costs, and protect our environment for future generations.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Liberal
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
Heather believes the criminal justice system should enforce our laws reasonably, fairly, and with respect for every person. Justice should never depend on someone’s race, income, background, or status. She supports accountability for those who break the law while ensuring equal treatment, due process, and dignity. Public safety and individual rights can—and should—work together.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Heather believes law-abiding adults of sound mind should have the right to legally own firearms. She also believes that right comes with reasonable safeguards to protect our communities. Weapons designed primarily for military combat should not be treated the same as firearms used for lawful self-defense, hunting, or sport. Heather supports responsible gun ownership while keeping exceptionally destructive weapons off our streets.
