Candidates on local ballots in Nov. weigh in on end of TPS for Haiti | Local
Flags supporting the Haitian community top every table at the Rose Gaute Creole Restaurant in Springfield.
Ohio politicians are sounding off on the end of temporary protected status for Haitians after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration could end the program that allowed thousands of Haitians to legally live and work in the Springfield area.
The Dayton Daily News sought answers from politicians and candidates competing in the 2026 general election about TPS in an attempt to learn how they think about the sunsetting immigration status, the impact its revocation will have on Ohio, and what actions they believe the state and federal government should take moving forward.
Governor
At a recent stop at the Butler County Fair, Republican candidate for governor Vivek Ramaswamy reiterated that TPS was never meant to be permanent. “(It) should be respected as what it was meant for: It’s temporary.”
“Now, should we have a thoughtful discussion about how we bring economic development and a skilled workforce to places like Springfield, Ohio, close to where I grew up? … Absolutely, we need to do that, and that’s a big part of my job as the next governor of the state.”
Ramaswamy said if elected governor, he would prioritize public education standards and workforce training. He tied those factors to protecting the economy of Springfield, along with “sensible policies that follow the rule of law for having sensible immigration policies.” He also advocated eliminating Ohio’s income tax.
Ramaswamy emphasized the need to “make sure that we do have enough skilled workers in Springfield, that starts with improving our schools, upskilling programs for even older members of the workforce … and sensible policies that follow the rule of law for having sensible immigration policies to supplement that where necessary.”
Asked for her thoughts on TPS and what should happen next, Democratic candidate for governor Amy Acton told this outlet in a statement: “Law enforcement should be keeping Ohioans safe by going after people who are here illegally or who have broken the law. As governor, I would expect federal and local law enforcement to work closely and focus on identifying violent criminals who are here illegally to make our communities safer.”
Amy Acton, Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, speaks to the media Friday, July 3, in front of RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton after she participated in the city’s America250 parade. JEN BALDUF / STAFF JEN BALDUF / STAFF
Current Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has voiced opposition to the end of TPS for Haitians and praised the immigrant community for helping fill workforce gaps.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican looking to hold onto his Senate seat this November after being appointed to it by DeWine, pointed to the 6-3 Supreme Court decision.
“The Supreme Court ruled that Temporary Protected Status was intended for temporary relief,” a spokesperson told this outlet in a statement. “Senator Husted supports the rule of law and complying with the law. If any individual has a legal claim to continued residency in Ohio, our office is willing to assist. And for others, the senator hopes there will be an orderly and thoughtful process to enforce this order.”
U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, speaks to the media following a roundtable discussion with local representatives from defense firms, educational programs and other organizations on Friday, March 6, 2026. CORNELIUS FROLIK / STAFF
His opponent this November, Democrat Sherrod Brown, told this outlet in a statement that he believed the ruling was unjust.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling is wrong and a devastating blow to thousands of families who have built their lives here, working, paying taxes, and contributing to Ohio’s communities,” Brown said. “I agree with Gov. DeWine and the majority of Ohioans who recognize that the Haitian community plays a key role in helping our local economies thrive. As the cost of gas, groceries, and utilities continue to soar, we should be focused on increasing economic opportunity for all Ohioans, not setting working families back further.”
Democratic Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, a former three-term U.S. senator, speaks at a campaing event in Akron, Ohio, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Sue Ogrocki Sue Ogrocki
The Dayton Daily News recently reported that, despite a closing window of opportunity for congressional intervention, the U.S. Senate’s leadership is in no rush to vote on a bill passed by the GOP-led House in April that would extend Haiti’s TPS designation for three years.
U.S. House
Springfield is currently in Ohio’s 10th Congressional District and is represented by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, who was one of a few Republicans to go against their party and vote for the TPS extension.
In a recent CNN segment, Turner said he understands why the court decided that Trump had the authority to revoke TPS, but added that there are plenty of people in Springfield who have come to the U.S. legally, have obtained employment, have become “part of the fabric of our communities,” and face a dangerous return to Haiti.
U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, was interviewed by ABC News’ Martha Raddatz on “This Week,” July 26. ABC News
“Of those that are working and contributing to society, I think certainly that they should be looked upon differently,” Turner said.
Turner’s Democratic opponent this November, Kristina Knickerbocker, told this outlet that she believes Congress should work to make it easier for TPS Haitians to apply for citizenship.
“Congress must act to allow law-abiding TPS holders to apply for citizenship,” Knickerbocker said. “These immigrants who work, pay taxes, and create businesses are an essential part of our community and economic growth.”
Kristina Knickerbocker at a candidate forum in April 2026. Cornelius Frolik / Staff Cornelius Frolik / Staff
Starting next term, Springfield will move into Ohio’s Fourth Congressional District, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, an Urbana Republican who advocated against continuing TPS for Haitians, saying the program has made “temporary permanent.”
“It’s systematic (and) it’s intentional: Let 10 million in, create sanctuary jurisdictions where you can’t remove them or it’s difficult to remove them, defund the guys who actually do the removing and make temporary permanent. That’s their plan,” Jordan said on the House floor. He did not return a request for comment for this story.
FILE – Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, speaks before the House Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
The Democrat challenging Jordan this November, Joshua Kolasinski, told this outlet he favors “a more balanced approach” for TPS.
“The Haitian community that settled in Springfield did so under legal and justified circumstances, so they haven’t deliberately entered the U.S. illegally,” Kolasinski said. “In my opinion, the overall asylum program under the Biden administration was too lenient, and the only way that would apply to Haitians is if they had already relocated to a third country before being granted asylum in the U.S. due to dangers in Haiti.”
Kolasinski pointed to reports of Haitians in Springfield being helpful “due to their work ethic and peaceful demeanor. He said the large back-and-forth with immigration policies is “really unfortunate” and confusing.
“There’s a lot that can be done to make our immigration system more secure and effective,” Kolasinski said. “We need a more robust and efficient case review process and a more transparent path towards citizenship.”
The “current standard of using lies to degrade groups of people and unconstitutional means to meet detention quotas is detrimental to any solutions that can be implemented by much better qualified people,” he said.
Kolasinski and Jordan face an outside challenge in their race from Independent candidate Tracey Tackett, who serves as Springfield’s assistant mayor.
She said the federal government “lets problems become a crisis and then waits a while after that before maybe acting.”
“Like so many problems, it falls to the presidential administration and the courts, which is not how the system is meant to work. And so communities like ours, the people down here, are left holding the bag,” Tackett said.
“We’ve been subject to the whims of the presidential administration and judges; waiting to see what will happen and trying to prepare. This could really hurt Springfield, and we’re not seeing much consideration of that from higher up.”
Tracey Tackett
Congress needs to set a standard for “invoking and revoking TPS, so the process is predictable for everyone involved,” Tackett said.
“However this goes, Springfield will need more resources to adapt, to minimize the disruption on our citizens and businesses. I’d appreciate that from the state, I’d appreciate that from the federal government,” Tackett said.
“And I’d like the state to step in between the federal government and our local governments, make sure there are no surprises. We follow the law, as rule No. 1, and every agency and level of government should too. And where things are murky, there has to be a lot of communication and transparency. And that’s what the state could help facilitate.”
Ohio House
Springfield is in Ohio House District 74, currently represented by Rep. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, who is facing Democratic challenger Darrell Jackson this November. Neither candidate responded to this outlet’s request for comment.