WARREN - A retired U.S. Postal Service worker is entering the world of politics in the hopes of earning a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Lorna Westlake, a retired Postmaster from Ashtabula, has filed for candidacy for Ohio's 65th District, which encompasses Trumbull County. Westlake will be running as a Democrat.

Republican David Thomas currently represents the 65th District.

Westlake graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity Degree. From there, she became an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church and served as an assistant pastor at Willoughby United Methodist Church from 2003 through 2010.

Additionally, Westlake volunteered at the Manna Food Pantry and the Salvation Army in Jefferson, Ohio, where she served as the director and treasurer of the food pantry from 2013 through 2024.

Westlake discussed her platform in a press release.

"I'm a believer in community, and in a community we take care of each other. I also believe that budgets are moral documents, and if elected, I will not vote for budgets that give windfalls to billionaires, while withdrawing automatic Medicaid coverage for all eligible children 0-3. I will work to protect Medicaid expansion relied on by 770,000 Ohioans if federal support drops one dollar below 90%," Westlake said.

Westlake also says she's committed to supporting farmers in Trumbull and Ashtabula Counties by voting for the continuance of the Young Farmers Tax Credit. She also advocated for public education.

"I will be a champion of public education and oppose any attempt to raise the bar for passage of levies to 60%. Such an action by the state legislature will not only devastate schools in Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties, but also local governments' social services and senior programs," Westlake said.

Westlake went on to say she will support the continued funding of the bipartisan Cupp-Patterson Plan, which aims to reform Ohio's school funding formula and provide property tax relief for residents.