--- title: "Knickerbocker vs. Turner: 2026 Ohio’s 10th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-oh-10" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Ohio’s 10th District race: Kristina Knickerbocker (D) vs. Michael Turner (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 In Ohio's 10th Congressional District, 13-term Republican incumbent Michael Turner faces Democratic challenger Kristina Knickerbocker, an Air Force veteran and oncology nurse practitioner, alongside Libertarian Thomas McMasters in the November 3, 2026 general election following mid-decade redistricting in October 2025. The contest hinges on economic stability, support for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, healthcare affordability, and Turner's long-standing legislative record versus Knickerbocker's calls for Congressional ethics reform and lower living costs. Polling from July 2026 shows Turner holding a single-digit lead over Knickerbocker in head-to-head and multi-candidate matchups. ## Candidates - **Kristina Knickerbocker** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://kristinaknickerbocker.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kristina_Knickerbocker) - **Michael Turner** (Republican, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://www.miketurner.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Turner_%28Ohio%29) ## Issues ### Healthcare and reproductive rights Salience: high Knickerbocker advocates for universal coverage, a public option, and protecting federal health programs, whereas Turner focuses on cutting red tape for opioid treatment and voting to dismantle federal COVID-19 mandates. **Kristina Knickerbocker:** Supports universal coverage and lower costs Knickerbocker, an oncology nurse practitioner, views healthcare as a right and advocates for universal coverage, expanding public health programs, and lowering patient costs. She supports protecting the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP, while defending reproductive healthcare and banning medical debt from credit reports. - Supports universal coverage and a public option to lower healthcare premiums. - Advocates protecting Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act. - Proposes banning medical debt from credit reports and capping prescription costs like insulin and chemotherapy. - Defends reproductive healthcare. > “The system prioritizes profit over patient care and prevention, leading to inefficiencies and dramatically higher costs.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kristina_Knickerbocker) > “I believe healthcare is a right, and I will work toward Universal Coverage so families don’t have to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and affording care.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Campaign site](https://kristinaknickerbocker.com) **Michael Turner:** Supports expanding addiction treatment and reform Turner emphasizes fighting the opioid epidemic by reducing regulatory barriers to substance abuse treatment, including care for infants born addicted. He has also voted in Congress to terminate COVID-19 travel vaccination mandates and end the COVID-19 national emergency. - Pushes to cut red tape and increase access to substance abuse treatment for vulnerable populations, including babies born addicted. - Fought to secure greater access to quality healthcare for Dayton veterans. - Voted to terminate CDC COVID-19 vaccination requirements for foreign travelers (H.R. 185) and end the national COVID-19 emergency (H.J.Res. 7). > “Pushing to cut red tape and increase access to substance abuse treatment for the most vulnerable in the opioid epidemic, including babies born addicted” > — Michael Turner, via [Campaign site](https://www.miketurner.com) ### Veterans and defense installations Salience: high Both candidates strongly support Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and veterans' services, with veteran Knickerbocker emphasizing VA funding and family care while long-time incumbent Turner points to adding 10,000 jobs at the base. **Kristina Knickerbocker:** Supports VA funding and military readiness As a U.S. Air Force veteran who served a decade at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Knickerbocker prioritizes protecting and growing the base and fully funding the VA. She advocates for ensuring military families and veterans receive proper healthcare, housing, and job stability. - Promises to fully fund and protect the Department of Veterans Affairs. - Pledges to defend and expand Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. - Focuses on high quality of life, healthcare, and employment support for veterans and military families. > “Veterans, service members, and military families deserve the highest gratitude and respect our country can offer.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kristina_Knickerbocker) > “I’ll fight to fully fund and protect the VA, defend and grow Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, support military families, and make sure every veteran has access to the healthcare, jobs, and stability they were promised.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Campaign site](https://kristinaknickerbocker.com) **Michael Turner:** Supports WPAFB expansion and veteran care Turner highlights his legislative record of protecting Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, noting the addition of approximately 10,000 jobs at the facility. He also serves on the House Armed Services Committee and fights for increased healthcare and housing access for local veterans. - Helped add approximately 10,000 jobs at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the largest single-site employer in Ohio. - Secured greater access to quality healthcare and housing for Dayton-area veterans. - Serves on the House Armed Services Committee and previously chaired the Strategic Forces and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees. > “Added approximately 10,000 jobs at WPAFB, still the largest single site employer in Ohio - Jobs our families count on.” > — Michael Turner, via [Campaign site](https://www.miketurner.com) > “Fought to secure greater access to quality healthcare and housing for Dayton’s veterans and ensure they receive the care they need and deserve.” > — Michael Turner, via [Campaign site](https://www.miketurner.com) ### Economy and cost of living Salience: high Knickerbocker focuses on tax cuts for working families, capping childcare, and corporate accountability, whereas Turner emphasizes regional manufacturing, Delphi pension restoration, and federal spending limits. **Kristina Knickerbocker:** Supports middle-class tax cuts and affordability Knickerbocker proposes middle-class tax cuts, repealing tariffs, and making billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share to reduce costs for families. She also calls for capping childcare costs, expanding affordable housing, raising wages, and requiring tech corporations to pay for data center energy infrastructure. - Proposes tax cuts for working families and repealing harmful tariffs. - Advocates capping childcare costs, supporting eldercare, and building affordable housing. - Calls for raising wages, strengthening labor rights, and requiring corporations to pay their fair share. - Proposes forcing big corporations to pay for data center energy infrastructure to lower resident energy bills. > “Costs are too high—housing, childcare, groceries, and energy—and families are being forced to make impossible choices to get by.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Campaign site](https://kristinaknickerbocker.com) > “I’ll cut taxes for working families, repeal harmful tariffs that raise prices, build more affordable housing, cap childcare costs, support eldercare, and lower energy bills by making big corporations—not Ohio families—pay for data center infrastructure.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Campaign site](https://kristinaknickerbocker.com) **Michael Turner:** Supports manufacturing, pension restoration, fiscal restraint Turner focuses on protecting manufacturing and defense industry jobs in Ohio and restoring pensions for Delphi retirees. In Congress, he supported major fiscal legislation including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), the Limit, Save, Grow Act, and the Fiscal Responsibility Act. - Fights to grow and protect regional manufacturing and defense industry jobs. - Pledges to fully restore pensions for all Delphi retirees. - Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1 in 2025) and the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. - Voted for the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 to cap federal spending and expand SNAP/TANF work requirements. > “Fighting to grow and protect regional manufacturing and defense industry jobs.” > — Michael Turner, via [Campaign site](https://www.miketurner.com) > “Won’t stop fighting until the pensions of all Delphi retirees are restored.” > — Michael Turner, via [Campaign site](https://www.miketurner.com) ### Government reform and ethics Salience: medium Knickerbocker calls for Congressional stock trading bans, term limits, and PAC restrictions, while Turner has focused on strict voter citizenship requirements and voted for federal record disclosures. **Kristina Knickerbocker:** Supports ethics reform and voting protections Knickerbocker advocates for comprehensive ethics reform, including banning stock trading by members of Congress, restricting corporate PAC influence, implementing term limits, and closing the lobbyist revolving door. She directly criticizes Turner for enriching himself while in office. - Supports banning Congressional stock trading and ending corporate PAC influence. - Proposes term limits for members of Congress and closing the revolving door to lobbying. - Pledges to protect voting rights and eliminate self-enrichment in office. > “That’s why I’ll ban stock trading for members of Congress, end corporate PAC influence, pass term limits, protect voting rights, and shut down the revolving door that allows former members to cash in as lobbyists.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Campaign site](https://kristinaknickerbocker.com) **Michael Turner:** Supports voter ID requirements and transparency Turner voted for the SAVE Act to mandate proof of citizenship for federal election registration and supported transparency legislation like the Epstein Files Transparency Act. He also publicly opposed Ohio's 2024 Issue 1 redistricting measure. - Voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. - Voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) to release unclassified DOJ records. - Opposed Ohio Issue 1 in 2024 regarding the establishment of a Citizens Redistricting Commission. > “The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), was a bill passed by the House of Representatives on 4/10/2025 that required individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.” > — Michael Turner, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Turner_%28Ohio%29) ### Energy policy Salience: medium Knickerbocker advocates forcing data centers and corporations to pay for energy infrastructure while protecting clean air/water, whereas Turner favors expanding domestic fossil fuel production and cutting pipeline permitting restrictions. **Kristina Knickerbocker:** Supports corporate responsibility for energy costs Knickerbocker focuses on protecting residents from rising energy bills by requiring tech corporations to pay for their own data center infrastructure. She also supports public health infrastructure ensuring clean air and water. - Proposes lowering energy bills by making big corporations pay for data center infrastructure. - Advocates for public health infrastructure that ensures clean air and water for all communities. > “lower energy bills by making big corporations—not Ohio families—pay for data center infrastructure.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Campaign site](https://kristinaknickerbocker.com) **Michael Turner:** Supports expanding domestic fossil fuel production Turner supports expanding domestic energy production, including oil, natural gas, and coal, while reducing regulatory permitting rules. He voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act and voted to repeal green energy tax credits. - Voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) to boost production of oil, natural gas, and coal. - Voted to reduce permitting restrictions for pipelines, refineries, and energy projects. - Voted to repeal green energy tax credits in the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. - Voted for H.J.Res. 30 to disapprove Department of Labor rules allowing ESG factors in retirement plan investments. > “The Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to increase domestic energy production and exports by increasing the production of oil, natural gas, and coal” > — Michael Turner, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Turner_%28Ohio%29) ### Public safety and law enforcement Salience: medium Knickerbocker prioritizes direct funding, training, and prevention resources for local first responders, while Turner emphasizes federal criminal justice enforcement linked to immigration and DUI laws. **Kristina Knickerbocker:** Supports funding first responders and prevention Knickerbocker emphasizes supporting local police, fire departments, and first responders through best-in-class training and increased resources. She also promotes prevention strategies to build community trust and safety. - Pledges to invest in law enforcement, fire departments, and local first responders. - Supports prevention strategies that strengthen community safety while building trust. - Advocates providing local first responders with best-in-class training. > “Every neighborhood deserves to feel safe, and that starts with making sure our first responders have the support and resources they need to do their jobs.” > — Kristina Knickerbocker, via [Campaign site](https://kristinaknickerbocker.com) **Michael Turner:** Supports strict penalties for DUI and criminal offenses Turner focuses on crime prevention through immigration enforcement and combatting the drug crisis. He voted to make driving under the influence grounds for deportation and supported detaining undocumented individuals charged with theft or larceny. - Voted for H.R. 875 (Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025) to deport non-citizens convicted of impaired driving. - Voted for the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to mandate detention for non-citizens arrested for property crimes. - Fights the opioid epidemic by seeking expanded access to substance abuse treatment. > “The Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025... would make driving while impaired or intoxicated grounds for barring an individual residing in the United States without legal permission from admission into the country or for deportation” > — Michael Turner, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Turner_%28Ohio%29) ### Immigration and border enforcement Salience: medium **Kristina Knickerbocker:** No documented position in our sources **Michael Turner:** Supports stricter immigration enforcement and deportation Turner supports enhanced border enforcement and strict penalties for undocumented immigrants involved in crimes. He voted for the Laken Riley Act to detain non-citizens arrested for theft and supported making DUIs grounds for deportation. - Voted for the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring DHS to detain undocumented immigrants arrested for burglary, theft, or larceny. - Voted for H.R. 875 to make driving while impaired grounds for deporting or barring non-citizens. - Voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) to restrict voter registration to verified citizens. > “The Laken Riley Act (S.5) was a bill passed by the 119th Congress and signed into law... which required the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain individuals residing in the United States without legal permission who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting” > — Michael Turner, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Turner_%28Ohio%29) ### Gender and athletics policy Salience: low **Kristina Knickerbocker:** No documented position in our sources **Michael Turner:** Supports restricting female sports to biological females Turner voted in favor of federal legislation to prohibit school athletic programs from allowing male-assigned individuals to compete in women's sports. - Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28). - Supports prohibiting school athletic programs from permitting individuals whose sex is male to participate in sports designated for women or girls. > “The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives on 1/14/2025 that would prohibit school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose sex was male to participate in programs for women or girls.” > — Michael Turner, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Turner_%28Ohio%29) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/oh-10-house-election-winner) — OH-10 House Election Winner: Republicans 70.0%, Democrats 29.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-OH10-26) — OH-10 House winner?: Michael Turner 72.0%, Kristina Knickerbocker 31.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-oh-10)