Hagan, Morris Vie for Ohio House Seat
Republican Christina Hagan and Democrat Nick Morris are competing to succeed term-limited Rep. Scott Oelslager in Ohio's 48th House District.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
Republican Christina Hagan and Democrat Nick Morris are running for the open Ohio House 48th District seat in the November 3, 2026 general election. The seat is open because incumbent Scott Oelslager is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
Why it matters
The race determines who will represent the 48th District in the Ohio House for the next two-year term, a post that pays roughly $63,000 annually. Because the seat is open, the outcome will change the district's representation in Columbus.
Hagan, 37, won the May Republican primary, while Morris, 47, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The Ohio House term lasts two years and pays approximately $63,000 annually, and the outcome of the November 3 general election remains unknown.
The players
Christina Hagan
Republican candidate who previously represented Ohio House District 50 for eight years and lives in Marlboro Township.
Nick Morris
Democratic candidate and program director at Walsh University who lives in Nimishillen Township.
Scott Oelslager
Outgoing incumbent for the 48th District, who is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
The details
Hagan, of Marlboro Township, previously served eight years representing Ohio House District 50. Morris, of Nimishillen Township, is a program director at Walsh University. The district includes Alliance, Louisville, North Canton, Hartville and parts of Stark County. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Timeline
May 2026: Hagan wins the Republican primary; Morris runs unopposed in the Democratic primary.
November 3, 2026: General election; polls close at 7:30 p.m.
Political Context
Ohio's term limits require Oelslager to leave the 48th District seat, creating the open contest between Hagan and Morris. Open-seat races like this one turn on which candidate can build a new base of voters without an incumbent on the ballot.
Voters in the 48th District will choose their next state representative on November 3, 2026, with polls closing at 7:30 p.m. The winner will serve a two-year term that begins after the election.
The takeaway
Voters in Ohio's 48th District should confirm their registration and polling location before November 3, 2026, when the open seat will be decided between Hagan and Morris.
Further reading
Explore more on Elections coverage across Ohio's legislative races.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Canton Repository.
