Heather Hill and Stu Moats have built their campaign for Ohio’s top offices around a simple argument that the state’s political system has drifted too far from the people it is meant to serve. Hill, a businesswoman from rural Appalachia, and Moats, a retired Air Force major and small business owner, describe themselves as outsiders who believe Ohioans are ready for a break from what they call a long standing culture of political insiders, predetermined choices, and limited transparency. Their message has resonated with voters who feel disconnected from state leadership, and the pair has leaned heavily on their personal histories to make the case that they understand the daily realities of the people they hope to represent.
Hill grew up in Morgan County, where she graduated from Morgan High School before earning her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University. She often speaks about her early years working at a McDonald’s in McConnelsville and the experience of building her first business while caring for an infant son. In 2001 she founded a marketing firm that grew into a statewide agency recognized by state officials. She and her husband later launched a real estate business focused on addressing housing shortages in low income areas. Hill points to two decades of running businesses without debt and her time as president of the Morgan Local Board of Education as evidence that she can manage budgets, reduce waste, and bring financial discipline to state government.
Her public service record extends beyond business and education. Hill was the first person of color elected in Morgan County and has been involved in civil rights work for many years. She helped found the Morgan County Habitat for Humanity chapter, served as the Family Support President, and later formed a local branch of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Foundation. She has been recognized with the Muskingum County MLK Honor Award and was nominated twice for the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame. In 2023 Governor Mike DeWine appointed her to the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission. Hill has also worked on education and foster care initiatives in Honduras and Mexico and has fostered many children in her own home.
Moats brings a different but complementary background. Raised on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the Air Force out of high school, later earned a master’s degree, and retired as a major. He settled in Dayton in 2008 and now runs two tree service companies and a rescue organization. He and his family appear in a reality show called Unstable Lumberjacks, and he volunteers in prison ministry through his church. Moats describes himself as a lifelong conservative who entered the race after becoming frustrated with what he viewed as predetermined endorsements and a lack of candidates who understood the concerns of ordinary Ohioans.
Together, Hill and Moats argue that Ohio’s political culture has become dominated by a small circle of insiders who control access to power and limit voter choice. They say their campaign has gained traction because voters are tired of what they describe as a system that favors wealthy donors and career politicians. They present themselves as candidates who are not backed by corporate interests or lobbyists and who are motivated by service rather than personal advancement.
Their policy priorities reflect that theme. They place transparency at the center of their platform and say they want to expose and eliminate waste, fraud, and unnecessary spending in state government. They argue that Ohio’s property tax system places an unfair burden on homeowners and have made property tax abolishment one of their signature issues. Hill has long advocated for the abolition of property taxes and says she believes the state can offset lost revenue by cutting waste and restructuring spending.
Economic development is another major focus. Hill and Moats say they want to bring manufacturing and production jobs back to Ohio, reduce regulatory barriers for small businesses, and review the use of H 1B visas to ensure that Ohio workers are not displaced. They argue that small businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy and that Ohio should expand grants, tax incentives, and support programs for entrepreneurs. Hill frequently cites her own experience navigating red tape and says she wants to simplify permitting processes, particularly in the housing sector, where she believes regulatory complexity has slowed development and contributed to shortages.
Education is a central part of their platform. They support school choice, expanded vocational and trade programs, and a return to what they describe as core academic instruction. They argue that schools should focus on education rather than political or social issues and propose consolidating Ohio’s more than six hundred school districts to reduce administrative costs. They say the savings could be redirected to teachers and classrooms without reducing the number of schools.
Public safety is another area where they believe the state needs significant change. Hill, who has fostered two young men who were killed in police encounters, says she has spent years speaking with officers who feel they lack adequate training for mental health crises, drug related incidents, and rapidly evolving challenges. She proposes building a live action training facility modeled after successful programs elsewhere in the country. Moats emphasizes the need to restore morale among officers and ensure they feel supported by state leadership.
Rural issues are woven throughout their platform. Hill often describes the challenges of living on a 100 acre farm without reliable water, sewage, or broadband. She argues that rural communities have been overlooked while attention has gone to major cities and says basic infrastructure such as running water and broadband should be universal. She also highlights the need for improved 911 systems, emergency response, and access to healthcare in areas where hospitals have closed. Hill has been working with regional providers to bring smaller scale facilities to underserved counties and says she wants to ensure that rural residents do not face long travel times for basic care.
Throughout the campaign, Hill and Moats have emphasized that they do not intend to become long term political figures. They say they want to serve for a limited time, make meaningful changes, and then return to private life. They frame their candidacy as an effort to give future generations a better chance at stability and prosperity and say they are motivated by a desire to help rather than to build political careers.
Their message has found an audience among voters who feel disconnected from state leadership, although the broader electorate will determine whether their outsider appeal translates into electoral success. For now, Hill and Moats continue to present themselves as candidates shaped by personal experience, grounded in community service, and committed to reshaping the relationship between Ohioans and their government.
Want to support Heather Hill and Stu Moats and their campaign? Visit their website for more information: heatherhillohio.com