Ohio Politics Explained

The races for governor and U.S. Senate are close, and the Brown-Husted race is one of the most expensive in the nation.

We discuss Amy Acton's record during the COVID-19 pandemic, money flowing into Ohio's U.S. Senate race and a problem with police reporting rape kit data to the state.

We discuss what happened to Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair, where the governor candidates stand on Flock and a new proposed ballot issue to rein in property taxes.

We discuss backlash against an anti-Sherrod Brown ad, Amy Acton's stance on Flock cameras and how the Iran war is affecting the U.S. Senate race.

We discuss how state and local officials are working to improve road safety and prevent more pedestrian deaths.

We discuss domestic abuse allegations against Ohio Rep. Max Miller, Vivek Ramaswamy's data center plan and the uncertainty facing Haitians in Springfield.

We discuss the latest in the race between Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton, who are running to replace Gov. Mike DeWine.

We discuss a child abuse case in Vinton County, an ethics complaint against JobsOhio, a new law that could change traffic stops and how two U.S. Supreme Court decisions reverberated in Ohio.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's call to end capital punishment in Ohio, plus legislation that would provide property tax relief to seniors and allow students to play sports at another school.

We discuss legislation to change Medicaid and mail-in voting, the photo ID amendment heading to the November ballot and why an effort to regulate data centers went off the rails.

We sat down with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to discuss his early resignation and some of the big issues he's leaving behind.

We discuss the surge in data centers and why some Ohioans are pushing back.

We discuss a lawsuit over school vouchers, a proposal to slash the gas tax and why Ohio is getting a new attorney general.

We discuss the May 5 primary results and what lies ahead for the 2026 election.

We discuss the key races on Ohio's May 5 primary ballot and what you need to know to vote.

We discuss the ongoing fight over abortion access, potential changes to Medicaid, a recent visit from former Vice President Mike Pence and the latest effort to rein in JobsOhio.

We discuss Sen. Jon Husted's push for voter photo ID, Vivek Ramaswamy's plan to cut property taxes, the outcome of the FirstEnergy bribery trial, and an effort to reverse Ohio's ban on THC drinks.

We discuss the prevalence of drug smuggling in Ohio's prisons and what the state can do to stem the tide.

USA Today Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporter Laura Bischoff on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this edition, we talk about Ohio’s upcoming May primary election, JobsOhio, and how a new dangerous dog law takes effect on March 20. Finally, we discuss how Ohio is restricting THC drinks and hemp products.