senate
Analysis: Only 1 in 4 Statehouse races will be competitive under new redistricting plan
On the first run of Ohio’s new legislative redistricting system, as few as one in four races are likely to produce competitive general elections, a new analysis shows. All 99 seats in the Ohio House and 17 of 33 Senate seats are up this year. Of those 116 races, just 30 will take place […]
Ten Ohio counties ban wind, solar projects under new state law
At least 10 Ohio counties have passed resolutions blocking the development of new utility scale wind and solar projects within all or part of their jurisdictions in the last year. The counties’ moves come after the October 2021 enactment of a state law giving the locals the veto power over renewable energy generation sites — […]
Propelled by Trump endorsement, Vance wins GOP Senate primary
CINCINNATI — J.D. Vance, transformed from Trump-critic to Trump-candidate, will represent the GOP in Ohio’s election for an open seat in the U.S. Senate. The Yale Law grad turned venture capitalist won 31% of the vote, according to preliminary results late Tuesday from the Ohio Secretary of State, beating out his nearest of six competitors, […]
Senate Democratic hopefuls face off in debate over Ukraine, Supreme Court
Three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate talked Ukraine, Supreme Court, energy policy and other issues in their first debate Monday. Rep. Tim Ryan, a current congressman and likely front-runner, fended off attacks throughout the debate from Morgan Harper, a progressive lawyer formerly with the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Traci “TJ” Johnson, […]
Who funded Ohio Statehouse politics in 2021?
Education and construction unions, natural gas utilities, the beer and wine industry, optometrists, car dealers, telecommunications firms, nursing home operators, doctors’ associations and others dumped money into lawmakers’ accounts in 2021. These funds set the stage for the maiden elections on yet-to-be finalized maps setting the district lines. (The Ohio Supreme Court overturned the GOP-passed […]
Senate votes to allow concealed carry of guns without training or background checks
The Ohio Senate passed legislation Wednesday that will allow any Ohioans 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon, so long as they’re allowed to possess it under state and federal law. Currently, Ohioans must pass a background check and demonstrate proof of eight hours of training to obtain a concealed carry license. Senate Bill […]
New pandemic law takes effect; experts say it undermines public health
As of Wednesday, there are 132 new sheriffs in town. When the new coronavirus emerged in Ohio, state law conferred “ultimate authority in matters of quarantine and isolation” to the Ohio Department of Health. It was the ODH director, and the governor who appointed her, who called the shots. The paradigm shifted Wednesday via the […]
COVID-19 protesters gather outside Ohio GOP Senate leader’s home, seeking veto override
Protesters gathered outside GOP Senate President Larry Obhof’s personal home Sunday seeking to pressure him to override a gubernatorial veto of legislation to weaken the health department. Although Senate Bill 311 passed with a veto-proof majority, the activists accused Obhof of stalling an effort to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of the bill. The legislation […]