For the second election cycle in a row, Ohio Northern University’s Director of Pharmacy Student Affairs, Dr. Sheila Coressel, is campaigning for state representative of Ohio’s 83rd District. She is running as a Democratic candidate in the November 3, 2026 midterm elections.
Coressel currently serves on the Ada Village Council, a position she was first elected to in 2019 and reelected for in 2023. She is serving her second term on the council, which is expected to end on December 31, 2027.
Coressel has also served as the chairwoman of the Hardin County Democratic Party since her election in 2024, however she claims to have been involved with the party since 2017.
After obtaining her master’s degree from Oklahoma State University, the state representative candidate started her career in higher education at Bowling Green State University as a hall director. There she stayed for five years before moving on to become the assistant director of residence life at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for another five years. After that, she obtained her Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Then, after a brief stint in Connecticut, she came to Ohio Northern University in 2016 and has been working here since.
According to Coressel, it is likely that she would need to resign from several roles if she is elected as state representative, including her role as Director of Pharmacy Student Affairs at Ohio Northern University.
“I do believe that I would have to resign from my position at ONU. I’m pretty sure that I cannot do both jobs and do both jobs well. I think that the amount of time that I would need to be in Columbus would impede that,” says Coressel. “Is it possible that I could have a different type of role at ONU? I have no idea. That would be a conversation to have if we have to cross that bridge.”
Coressel also states that she intends to step down from the Ada Village Council if she is elected, and believes that she would also be required to step down as chairwoman of the Hardin County Democrats.
Coressel has a campaign website which houses more information on her campaign and goals.
The 2026 general midterm elections will be held on November 3, 2026. Ohio residents can find their polling locations, sample ballots, and other useful information, including voter requirements, on the Ohio Secretary of State website.
Polling times will run from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in all Ohio counties, according to the Secretary of State website.