State Senate candidate back in race after previously dropping out

After previously withdrawing from the Ohio state Senate race, Paloma De La Fuente has announced she is “ready to fight.”

On Monday, the 19-year-old candidate from Perrysburg posted on the social media app X, formerly known as Twitter, that she made changes to her leadership and campaign method.

“I am confident that I have found the way I can best tackle the area that makes up my district; revamp my efforts; and win this race,” the post said.

She posted earlier this month that she was dropping out of the race to prioritize the health of her family.

As of the most recent state campaign finance report, she had negative balance of $1,034.15.

She will be on the November ballot against incumbent state Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R., Bowling Green) to represent Ohio’s 2nd Senate District, which consists of Lucas County’s western suburbs, all of Wood, Ottawa, and Erie counties, and small pieces of Huron County.

“I wish my opponent and her family well,” Ms. Gavarone wrote in a statement. “I’ve always made it a priority to be present and accessible throughout my district, regardless of whether it’s election year and regardless of whether I have an opponent. That commitment won’t be impacted by my opponent’s latest change of heart, and if she decides to drop out again, it still won’t change.”

Ms. De La Fuente first posted that she was returning to the race on Aug. 13 but has been quiet on social media since then. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment.