Motivation to Run for Office 

Motivated by firsthand experience with rising taxes and unnecessary government intervention, Patti is running to represent Ohio House District 81 to champion a disciplined, accountable approach to governing. She aims to bring a strong voice to Columbus—one that asks tough questions, scrutinizes spending, and consistently pushes back when government steps beyond its proper role, ensuring taxpayers’ interests remain at the forefront of state decision‑making. 

Policy Positions 

Economic Freedom 

Patti Rockey champions a limited‑government, free‑market approach to economic policy rooted in disciplined spending and taxpayer protection. She emphasizes that every tax dollar must be treated with the seriousness of our own budgeting at home. She believes that legislators ask tough questions about purpose, efficiency, sustainability, and constitutional authority before spending public funds. Rockey opposes corporate bailouts and taxpayer‑funded incentives, asserting that the private sector—not government—should determine winners and losers. She supports eliminating Ohio’s personal income tax so Ohioans can keep more of their hard earned money. Rockey is strongly pro–worker freedom, rejecting closed‑shop union arrangements and affirming that no one should be forced to join or pay dues to a union. She also advocates for deregulation at a faster pace and supports reforms that will help streamline compliance processes and reduce burdens on businesses.  

Education Opportunity 

Rockey firmly believes in empowering parents to choose the best educational path for their children and supports policies allowing funding to follow students to the educational environment best for each family. Her ideal education system focuses on fundamentals—reading, writing, arithmetic—but also emphasizes critical thinking, civic literacy, and an ongoing understanding of America’s founding principles, such as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Rockey also believes schools must prioritize financial literacy, practical life skills, and fostering a lifelong love of learning.  

Government Modernization 

Consistent with her limited‑government philosophy, Rockey believes Ohio must pursue major structural reforms to reduce costs and improve efficiency. She supports exploring consolidation of overlapping local governments and services—such as townships, fire districts, and school administrations—so long as quality is maintained or improved.She insists that “everything should be on the table” when it comes to reducing duplication and lowering property taxes. Her approach prioritizes transparency, periodic review, and ensuring that government remains responsive to taxpayers rather than insulated from public scrutiny.  

Energy Abundance 

Patti stands for with free‑market energy principles. She opposes new regulations and mandates that would reverse reforms enacted under HB 15 or increase costs for Ohio ratepayers. She supports streamlining permitting processes for pipelines, power plants, and transmission lines while maintaining responsible environmental oversight. Her broader economic philosophy—favoring deregulation, limiting bureaucratic authority, and protecting taxpayers—reinforces her inclination toward an energy system driven by competition, affordability, and consumer choice rather than government intervention.  

Healthcare Reform 

Patti Rockey supports reforms that emphasize personal responsibility, dignity, and targeted assistance for the truly vulnerable.  To reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, Rockey supports rigorous oversight measures. Her approach combines strict accountability with a belief in the dignity of work and the importance of maintaining a sustainable safety net.