The Early Years

Krista Magaw grew up in small towns in rural Ohio and knows firsthand that the people who live in these areas have been forgotten by the legislature in Columbus.  She has witnessed the loss of state funding and good paying jobs, and the people in power do not seem to care.

 

Krista's father was a United Methodist minister. Her mother was an elementary school teacher.  In addition to their professions, both parents were involved with their political parties.  Dad was a Republican. Mom was a Democrat. Both were active in promoting their party's platform, showing Krista the importance of community involvement.  During her childhood she experienced the excitement of political conventions and powerful speakers rallying their cause. She also realized that the promises being made did not include the people where she lived. She knew that to be an effective leader you must take action, and this action must be based on the concerns of the people you represent. 

 

Off to School

These thoughts stayed with her, and after receiving her BA in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati, she spent 25 years in the mental health field.  Through her direct work with individuals she saw that therapy was not enough. She created several skill training programs for those who had been institutionalized most of their lives. Through her advocacy, they were able to transition into the workforce and independent living in the community. 

 

Through her ongoing work in mental health, she saw the magnitude of the mental health crisis in the country. She saw clearly that direct service to this population is and was crucial, but she also realized that changes were necessary. 

 

Back to School

With a fellowship from Duke University, Krista returned to school and earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy. She continued her life-changing work in  mental health, and her success led to her appointment as Policy Program Director of the Office of Mental Health in the state of Pennsylvania. She met with legislators on both sides of the aisle and worked with them to create programs and legislation that provided improved care and understanding of mental illness.

 

Back to Ohio

Opportunities to plan and implement more community programs for people with serious and persistent mental health problems brought Krista back to Ohio. She and her husband and daughter moved to Greene County in 1997. Then in 2001, her professional career took a sharp turn.

 

A New Calling

In 2001 Krista became the first Executive Director of Tecumseh Land Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping landowners and communities preserve farmland, natural areas, water and historic sites as well as promote natural resource conservation. Although Krista had never worked in conservation, she had extensive experience in all the right areas. With her past experience working with legislators, she knew how to build community support as well as create partnerships between non-profits and government. By the time Krista retired,the land trust had preserved more than 30,000 acres and 42 stream miles. Tecumseh Land trust became the first-accredited land trust in Ohio. 

 

Return to her Roots

Once she returned to Ohio, Krista also started to volunteer with the Greene County Democratic Party. As Greene is primarily a rural and agricultural area, Krista quickly saw that it too, was being ignored by legislators in Columbus. The early influences of her parents had motivated and guided Krista through all her working years.  Listening to mental health patients and health care workers led her to develop the programs and policies that changed many lives. Her work with Tecumseh Land Trust set a precedent for preserving farmland and natural spaces. Krista retired, yet she knew there was more she could do.  That’s when Krista decided to enter politics and become a candidate to become Ohio House Representative for District 71 which includes parts of Greene and Clark and all of Clinton counties.  District 71 is mostly rural and agricultural, very much like the areas where Krista spent her early years. She knows the issues and is ready to work on legislation to bring about needed change.

 

Krista’s Campaign

Krista knew from early on that leaders need to do more than make promises and give speeches.  Her campaign is about going to the people and listening. She goes to small towns.  She meets with Township Trustees. She talks to city and county commissioners.  She meets with individuals and small groups. She attends festivals and fairs. She knocks on doors. 

 

Krista believes that you cannot be a representative of the people unless you know what the people want and need. And, when people talk to you, you must listen. She cites examples of issues when the legislature has completely ignored the will of the people.  These include re-districting and gerrymandering, reproductive rights, school funding, and voting rights. 

 

Committed to Representation

Krista believes that the job title of House Representative is also the job description. To represent means to listen to and speak for the people in your district, and develop programs and legislation to address their concerns. To do this means to work with legislators from both sides of the aisle.  Cooperation is the key to solving problems.  Ohio is failing with access to health care, taking care of the mentally ill, supporting seniors, funding education, and many other social justice issues.  Ohioans deserve to be heard.  Today, many communities are standing up against data centers.  Will the representatives in Ohio listen to the people?  Or will they do the bidding of big money?

 

Voters Needed

Only the voters in Ohio can answer this question.  Know who the candidates are.  Know their history. Their experience. Their commitment and willingness to listen.  Make an informed choice.

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And trust that Krista Magaw will be your voice in Columbus