Daniel Kalmbach is a 31-year-old former Republican candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives who was arrested in Miami in February 2026 on felony charges of kidnapping with a weapon and aggravated battery. He ran unsuccessfully in the March 2024 Republican primary for Ohio’s 69th House District, and he is the son of Paul Kalmbach, CEO of the Upper Sandusky-based animal nutrition company Kalmbach Feeds.
What He Is Charged With
Kalmbach was arrested on February 23, 2026, at the Magnus Brickell apartment building in Miami, after an incident prosecutors say unfolded over roughly two days beginning February 21.1Yahoo News. Former Ohio GOP Candidate Charged With Felony Kidnapping, Assault He was charged in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court with two felony counts: kidnapping with a weapon and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm or involving a deadly weapon.2WHIO. Former Ohio GOP Candidate Charged With Felony Kidnapping, Assault
The initial booking charges were false imprisonment and battery by strangulation, both third-degree felonies under Florida law. The Miami-Dade County Circuit Court later upgraded them to the current kidnapping and aggravated battery counts.3TiffinOhio.net. Former Ohio GOP Candidate Charged With Strangulation in Domestic Violence Arrest
According to the probable cause affidavit, the alleged victim was Kalmbach’s girlfriend of eight months. Prosecutors say he confined her while armed with scissors and a knife, struck her, cut her hair, and cut her with a knife, resulting in what the filing described as “bodily harm and/or permanent disfiguration.”1Yahoo News. Former Ohio GOP Candidate Charged With Felony Kidnapping, Assault
What Each Side Told Investigators
The victim told investigators that Kalmbach blocked the apartment door, told her she was “not going to leave for two days,” and carried her back to the apartment when she tried to reach the building’s elevator. She said he slammed her onto a couch, pulled her hair and hair extensions, cut her hair with scissors while striking her with his knees, and at one point grabbed her neck with both hands and applied pressure that impeded her breathing for about six seconds. She also alleged closed-fist strikes to her head.3TiffinOhio.net. Former Ohio GOP Candidate Charged With Strangulation in Domestic Violence Arrest
Kalmbach acknowledged to investigators that he jumped on the victim in bed, delivered elbow strikes to her head, and used a knife to cut her hair after taking the weapon from her, according to the same affidavit.3TiffinOhio.net. Former Ohio GOP Candidate Charged With Strangulation in Domestic Violence Arrest
Where the Case Stands
Kalmbach has pleaded not guilty. He posted a $4,000 surety bond and was released subject to a court-ordered no-contact order with the victim.2WHIO. Former Ohio GOP Candidate Charged With Felony Kidnapping, Assault In March 2026 he demanded a jury trial, and a pretrial hearing was scheduled for June 9, 2026, in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.1Yahoo News. Former Ohio GOP Candidate Charged With Felony Kidnapping, Assault
His 2024 Ohio House Run
Kalmbach was known in Ohio political circles before the arrest as a conservative challenger in the March 2024 Republican primary for Ohio’s 69th House District. He lost to incumbent Kevin Miller by a wide margin, roughly 60 percent to 40 percent, a gap of more than 3,000 votes.4The Columbus Dispatch. 2024 Ohio Republican Primary Results, State House District 695Newark Advocate. Miller Defeats Kalmbach in 69th Ohio House District Republican Primary
He ran as a self-described “strong conservative” focused on protecting family farms and agriculture, and he branded Miller and 21 other Republican state legislators as “RINOs” for allegedly supporting a “liberal” Ohio House speaker. His most prominent endorsement came from U.S. Representative Jim Jordan, whom Kalmbach described as a close family friend, saying he began volunteering for Jordan at age 11.6Newark Advocate. Republicans Miller, Kalmbach Meet in 69th Ohio House District Primary
Family and Work Background
Kalmbach grew up in Findlay, Ohio, and was home-schooled before attending Cedarville University, a private Christian institution in southwestern Ohio.7AOL News. Kevin Miller Faces GOP Primary His family owns Kalmbach Feeds, an animal nutrition company headquartered in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, that produces feed for livestock, poultry, equine, and companion animals. His father, Paul Kalmbach, is CEO.8Kalmbach Feeds. About Kalmbach Feeds
Before running for office, Kalmbach worked for the family business in several roles, including managing a pork processing facility with roughly 80 union employees. In 2023 he spent several months as a legislative aide to state Representative Thad Claggett, a Republican from Newark representing the neighboring 68th District, then moved to Licking County and launched his primary challenge against Miller.7AOL News. Kevin Miller Faces GOP Primary