Former Ohio GOP candidate charged with strangulation in domestic violence arrest

Daniel Jeremiah Kalmbach, a former Republican candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives, was arrested in Miami, Florida on February 23 and charged with two third-degree felonies: false imprisonment and battery by strangulation, according to court records filed in Miami-Dade County.

Kalmbach, 31, ran in the 2024 Republican primary for Ohio House District 69, where he lost to incumbent State Rep. Kevin Miller. His campaign received a $1,000 personal donation from State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery), according to Ohio Secretary of State campaign finance records.

Attempts to reach Click’s office for comment were unsuccessful.

This article contains detailed descriptions of alleged domestic violence, including strangulation and physical assault, as documented in a police affidavit.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Miami police officers responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment building at 201 SW 10th St. at approximately 1:22 a.m. The victim, described as Kalmbach’s girlfriend of eight months, was found in the building lobby with visible bruises on her face.

In a sworn statement, the victim told officers that an argument began after she mentioned a female friend, which caused Kalmbach to become upset. When she attempted to leave the apartment, the affidavit states, Kalmbach blocked the door and told her she was not leaving. The victim alleged that Kalmbach grabbed her, slammed her onto the couch, and held her against her will.

The affidavit describes a sustained assault that continued over multiple phases inside the apartment. The victim stated that Kalmbach pulled her hair and hair extensions, retrieved scissors from the kitchen, and cut her hair while she was on the floor, striking her with his knees. In the bedroom, the victim stated, Kalmbach grabbed her neck with both hands and applied pressure that impeded her breathing for approximately six seconds, creating what the affidavit describes as “a risk of great bodily harm.”

When the victim briefly escaped to the building’s elevator, the affidavit states, Kalmbach followed, picked her up, and carried her back to the apartment, where he delivered closed-fist strikes to her head. The victim told officers Kalmbach stated she was “not going to leave for two days” and stood in front of the door to prevent her from exiting. When she eventually reached the building lobby with Kalmbach, she asked the front desk receptionist to call 911.

The affidavit states that Kalmbach waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with officers. He told police an argument ensued because the victim wanted to break up with him. He admitted to jumping on the victim in bed and delivering elbow strikes to her head. He stated he took a knife from the victim after she cut his leg with it and then used the knife to cut her hair. He refused treatment from fire rescue.

A building front desk receptionist corroborated that the couple came to the lobby and that the victim asked him to call 911, according to the affidavit. A crime scene investigator photographed the scene, and Miami Fire Rescue treated the victim’s injuries.

A Florida domestic violence lethality screening conducted on the victim determined she was in a “potential lethal situation based on score and officers belief,” according to the affidavit. Officers at the scene were equipped with body-worn cameras.

According to the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts, Kalmbach was charged under Florida Statute 787.02(2) for false imprisonment and Florida Statute 784.041(2)(A) for battery/domestic/by strangulation, both third-degree felonies. Bond was set at $1,000 on the false imprisonment charge and $4,000 on the strangulation charge. A pretrial stay-away order was issued. Bond was received on February 26.

Court records show that Kalmbach initially filed an affidavit of indigent status and was appointed a public defender at his bond hearing. Within two weeks, he retained private defense attorneys Howard Srebnick and Mark A.J. Shapiro of Black Srebnick, a prominent Miami criminal defense firm. Srebnick has represented clients including Helio Castroneves, Justin Bieber, and Lil Wayne.

On March 10, Kalmbach entered a written plea of not guilty and demanded a jury trial. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for April 24, 2026, at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami. The case is assigned to Judge Carmen R. Cabarga.

The arrest affidavit lists Kalmbach’s permanent address as Columbus, Ohio, and his occupation as self-employed. He was born in Ohio.

Kalmbach’s 2024 Ohio House campaign was backed by Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana), the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity, and the Center for Christian Virtue. Click donated $1,000 to Kalmbach’s campaign on February 20, 2024, listing his occupation as “Legislator/State of Ohio” and his address in Vickery, according to the pre-primary campaign finance report filed with the Ohio Secretary of State.

Campaign finance records show the financial relationship between Click and the Kalmbach family extends in both directions. Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. donated $250 to Click’s campaign committee in October 2021. Paul Kalmbach donated $250 to the Committee to Elect Gary Click in September 2024. And Daniel Kalmbach himself donated $350 to Click’s committee in May 2025, listing his employer as “J.H. Routh Packing Company.”

Kalmbach is the son of Paul Kalmbach, CEO of Kalmbach Feeds in Upper Sandusky, a major Republican donor. Campaign finance records show the Kalmbach family contributed heavily to Daniel’s campaign: Paul Kalmbach Sr. donated $15,000, Paul Kalmbach Jr. donated $15,000, Cheryl Kalmbach donated $15,499, and Heidi Kalmbach donated $15,000. Paul Kalmbach Sr. also donated $2,500 to Claggett for Ohio in October 2022, according to Ohio Secretary of State records. Daniel Kalmbach was subsequently hired as Claggett’s legislative aide beginning December 27, 2022, as previously reported by The Rooster.

Independent journalist DJ Byrnes at The Rooster published investigative pieces on Kalmbach during his 2024 campaign, documenting residency concerns, questions about his professional background, and the family’s extensive donor network in Republican politics.

The case remains open in Miami-Dade County.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Help is available 24/7.