Brian
A. Shaver
Democrat Brian Shaver, Fostoria teacher and city council president, challenges incumbent Bob Latta in Ohio's 5th Congressional District
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 3
Background
Brian A. Shaver is a Democrat from Fostoria, Ohio, running to represent Ohio's 5th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 election. He won the Democratic primary in May 2026 and is challenging incumbent Republican Bob Latta. 1220
Shaver works as a social studies teacher at Fostoria Junior/Senior High School, a position he has held since 2017, and serves as president of Fostoria City Council, a body he joined as an at-large member in 2013. His career in education spans several schools across northwest Ohio, including Catholic schools, and he previously served as director of parish and school at St. Wendelin. 17141516
He earned a degree in history and secondary education from Bluffton University in 1999, studied international relations at the University of Toledo, and completed a master's degree in educational leadership at Bowling Green State University in 2023. He is also reportedly pursuing a doctorate at Bowling Green State University. 7
Shaver has campaigned across the district on themes of transparency and community engagement, including a 'Tacos and Transparency Tour' of town halls in the fall of 2026. He is described by his campaign as born and raised in Fostoria, where he continues to live. 5621
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 5, Ohio
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- President, Fostoria City Council; Social Studies Teacher, Fostoria Junior/Senior High School
- Website
- brianshaverforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 12debateShaver participates in citizens' candidate forum on data centers, school funding, and Iran
BG Independent Media reported that candidates were questioned by residents on data centers, school funding, the war in Iran, and corruption. Shaver stated, 'I feel the very fabric of our nation is in trouble,' and called for accountability and a nonpartisan approach. The event was not a formal debate.
Candidates quizzed by citizens on data centers, school funding, war ... · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsCleveland.com profiles 5th District race; district rated 'safely Republican'
Cleveland.com reported on the three-way race and described Shaver's platform as the 'three A's'—affordability, accountability, and availability. Shaver argued Congress had ceded legislative authority to the president. Political prognosticators rated the district safely Republican.
Ohio 5th congressional district race 2026: Latta vs. Shaver vs. Veloff · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22filingWTOL voter guide lists Shaver, Latta, and Veloff as 5th District candidates
WTOL's Northwest Ohio voter guide for the November 3 general election officially listed Brian Shaver (D), Bob Latta (R), and Michael Veloff (L) as candidates for Ohio's 5th Congressional District.
Northwest Ohio voter guide: Nov. 3, 2026 General Election · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17debateShaver holds Bowling Green town hall, says Latta has not responded to debate request
At a town hall at Grounds for Thought, Shaver said he had asked Latta's office for a debate with no response. He blamed Congress for the affordability crisis, called for health care reform and campaign-finance limits, and said 'You guys have been asking for a town hall since 2015.'
Candidate for Fifth Congressional District gives voters what ... · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 8newsShaver holds 'Tacos and Transparency' campaign stop in Norwalk
At the event, Shaver addressed congressional oversight, data centers (calling for local control and protection from higher electricity costs), and immigration enforcement, calling for replacing ICE with an agency operating under clearer rules.
Candidate stresses accountability during campaign stop · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30newsFEC filings show Shaver with $8,742 cash on hand vs. Latta's $1 million+
Campaign finance figures through June 30 showed Shaver with $11,664 in total receipts, $7,258 in spending, and $8,742 cash on hand. Shaver noted his campaign does not accept corporate money.
Ohio 5th congressional district race 2026: Latta vs. Shaver vs. Veloff · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 5filingShaver wins Democratic primary in Ohio's 5th District with 28.7% of the vote
Shaver emerged as the Democratic nominee after a four-candidate primary, receiving approximately 11,848–11,914 votes (28.7%). He will face Republican incumbent Bob Latta and Libertarian Michael Veloff in the November 3 general election.
Ohio Primary Election Results 2026 · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Northeast Ohio Democratic Veterans Caucus organizationReported by the Advertiser-Tribune on September 8, 2026, citing Shaver's campaign team. Exact date of endorsement not reported. advertiser-tribune.com
- Buckeye Veterans Coalition organizationReported by the Advertiser-Tribune on September 8, 2026, citing Shaver's campaign team. Exact date of endorsement not reported. advertiser-tribune.com
- UAW State CAP Council unionReported by the Advertiser-Tribune on September 8, 2026, citing Shaver's campaign team. Exact date of endorsement not reported. advertiser-tribune.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $12K
- Spent
- $7,258
- Cash on hand
- $8,742
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6OH05154(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] Candidates quizzed by citizens on data centers, school funding, war ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Ohio Primary Election Results 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Candidate for Fifth Congressional District gives voters what ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [4] Contact Brian Shaver for Congress - candidate for Ohio's 5th ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] Ohio 5th congressional district race 2026: Latta vs. Shaver vs. Veloff(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [6] Northwest Ohio voter guide: Nov. 3, 2026 General Election(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [7] Candidate stresses accountability during campaign stop(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [8] Candidate stresses accountability during campaign stop(opens in a new tab) Sep 10, 2026
- [9] Shaver challenges Latta in OH-5 | Advertiser-Tribune Teacher runs ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026