Author

Zurie Pope
Zurie Pope is a student at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in journalism. His work has appeared in The Nation Magazine, The Washington Blade, the Ohio Capital Journal, and the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Ohio lawmakers and religious lobbyists coordinate on anti-trans legislation
By: Zurie Pope - June 20, 2023
Text messages obtained by the Ohio Capital Journal through public records requests show Ohio lawmakers and religious lobbyists from the Center for Christian Virtue coordinating on anti-trans legislation moving through the Ohio Statehouse. Brought forward on Feb. 16, House Bill 6 — otherwise known as the Save Women’s Sports Act — has become one of […]
Ohio religious lobby welcomes former VP Pence at gala, protesters stand against policy messages
By: Zurie Pope - May 11, 2023
Former Vice President Mike Pence addressed some of Ohio’s most prominent conservatives at a recent gala in the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, organized by religious lobby The Center for Christian Virtue. Pence’s speech, for which tickets ranged from $1,500 to an “exclusive pre-VIP roundtable with keynote speaker” for $25,000, and the Q&A with […]
A behind-the-scenes look at how Ohio enacted the most restrictive voter photo ID law in America
By: Zurie Pope - March 1, 2023
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 458 on Jan. 6, enacting what’s been called one of the most restrictive voter-ID laws in the country. Public records obtained by the Ohio Capital Journal show how the law moved through the process, with lawmakers often ignoring moderation suggestions proposed by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office […]
Trump supporters express conspiracies, fear, and hope at Montgomery County rally
By: Zurie Pope - November 8, 2022
VANDALIA — “Are we ready to welcome Donald Trump back to Ohio?” asked Republican Ohio U.S. Senate nominee J.D Vance to a crowd of over 1,000 supporters at the Dayton Airport Tarmac on Election Eve. Joe Biden won Montgomery County by 50.3% in 2020, and Dayton itself spearheaded many progressive causes, from marijuana legalization to […]
The hidden role of a religious lobbying group in Ohio’s education ‘backpack bill’
By: Zurie Pope - August 24, 2022
An Ohio bill that would send public education money to private schools if a student chooses to attend one was written with help from religious lobbying group the Center for Christian Virtue and a think tank that promotes charter schools. Ohio House Bill 290 — colloquially referred to as the “Backpack Bill” — would allow […]