Paula Hemmerick, volunteer with Move to Amend Miami County, Ohio had this LTE published in the Dayton Daily News on Oct. 4, 2026.

To the editor:

With hyperscale data centers moving into Ohio communities, often under nondisclosure agreements, voters may wonder: Where do candidates in the upcoming election stand on corporate power and big money in politics?

Move to Amend Miami County, Ohio surveyed 50 candidates in 20 races about their position on corporate power and money in politics. Specifically, the group contacted candidates for U.S. Senate; U.S. House Congressional Districts 4, 8, 10, and 15; Ohio Governor; Ohio Attorney General; Ohio Secretary of State; Ohio Senate District 5; and Ohio House Districts 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 70, 71, 74, 80, 84, and 85.

The questionnaire asked candidates whether they would support amending the U.S. Constitution to make clear (1) corporations and other artificial entities do not have “constitutional” rights and (2) money spent on political campaigns is not protected speech and shall be regulated.

Twelve candidates pledged support for an amendment. Four candidates declined support. The remaining candidates did not respond despite repeated requests to participate.

Voters can see which candidates responded to the survey—and how they responded—by visiting https://www.movetoamend.org/pledge2025.

Move to Amend Miami County, Ohio is an affiliate of Move to Amend, a national, nonpartisan grassroots coalition working for a democracy in which our elected representatives are genuinely accountable to constituents, rather than large corporations and wealthy donors. Survey results are shared to inform voters of candidates’ position on corporate power and money in politics. Move to Amend neither endorses nor opposes any candidate for office.

Paula Hemmerick

Troy