Ohio Politics Explained

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.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's final State of the State, President Donald Trump's visit to southwest Ohio and why Sen. Jon Husted testified in a case tied to the House Bill 6 scandal.

We discuss the sudden resignation of former Ohio State University president Ted Carter and what comes next.

We discuss Ohio's cannabis referendum, sports teams that want to spend unclaimed funds, a request for voter information from the Department of Justice and why Sen. Jon Husted will likely testify in a corruption trial.

We discuss Ohio billionaire Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and his Feb. 18 testimony before a congressional panel.

Ohio lawmakers passed a major overhaul of the property tax system. Is it enough to help homeowners?

We discuss an effort to repeal the new marijuana and hemp law, what happened in Springfield this week and who's winning the money race for Ohio governor.

We discuss why Ohio is preparing for immigration enforcement in Springfield and a new trial starting in the House Bill 6 scandal.

We discuss Vice President JD Vance's visit to Toledo, a sharp drop in health care enrollment and legislation to ban 17-year-olds from getting married.

We discuss rumors about Columbus day cares, the U.S. attack on Venezuela and who Ohio's governor candidates chose as their running mates.

Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporters Laura Bischoff and Jessie Balmert to look back on big moments that happened in Ohio politics in 2025. During this episode, we also talk about what we’re looking ahead to in 2026.

We discuss why childcare is so expensive in Ohio and what state officials are trying to do about it.

We discuss bills before Gov. Mike DeWine that could slash property taxes and change Ohio's recreational marijuana law.

We discuss the end of the federal government shutdown, the latest in the Ohio governor's race and a bill dealing with religious alternatives to health care.

We discuss the Nov. 4 election in Ohio and what the results say about 2026.

We discuss what the federal government shutdown means for SNAP, problems at Central State University and how Ohio's congressional map could change for 2026.

We discuss lawmakers' latest efforts to regulate marijuana and hemp and how the Ohio House wants to cut $2 billion in property taxes.

We discuss Ohio's pause on executions and what the future may hold when Gov. Mike DeWine leaves office.

We discuss the latest action on property taxes, an increase in out-of-state abortions, how abortion opponents want to change health class and why marijuana companies are suing Ohio.

We discuss the Legislature's plan to tackle high property taxes, Ohio's first redistricting meeting and how Republicans are touting unity for the 2026 election.

We discuss the fallout from Charlie Kirk's assassination, union endorsements in the 2026 election and the latest lawsuit involving Ohio's teacher pension system.

We discuss Sen. Bernie Moreno's first months in office, a new Trump directive on sexual education and what's on the agenda when Ohio lawmakers return to Columbus.

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's decision to send Ohio National Guard members to Washington, D.C., and how Sherrod Brown's Senate campaign announcement is shaping the 2026 election.

We discuss the first year of adult-use marijuana sales in Ohio and what's in store for the program going forward.

We discuss a viral street fight in Cincinnati and how it became a talking point for Ohio politicians. 

We discuss former Sen. Sherrod Brown's political future, fundraising in the Ohio governor's race and why Vice President JD Vance returned to Ohio.

We discuss why political outsiders, from JD Vance to Vivek Ramaswamy, are becoming more popular with Ohio voters. 

We discuss why Ohio will draw a new congressional map, the latest with a lawsuit over school vouchers and how the Ohio House voted on Gov. Mike DeWine's budget vetoes. 

We discuss Gov. Mike DeWine's budget vetoes, a lawsuit over Browns stadium money, what President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" means for Ohio and how LGBTQ advocates are trying to change the state constitution.

We discuss the two-year state budget and what Gov. Mike DeWine may do when it reaches his desk.

We discuss the new leader of the Ohio Democratic Party, the latest with the budget process, a fight over abortion waiting periods and how the Make America Healthy Again agenda is trickling into Ohio.

We discuss the Ohio Senate's proposed budget, a plan that would transform the property tax system and what's next for House Minority Leader Allison Russo.

Ten years ago, Jim Obergefell's U.S. Supreme Court case made gay marriage the law of the land. What does he make of LGBTQ rights in Ohio today?

We discuss a new plan to change Ohio's marijuana law, a surprise pardon from President Donald Trump, why lawmakers want to limit immigrants' property rights and how Trump's budget bill could affect Ohio Medicaid patients.

We discuss a proposed amendment to abolish property taxes, a plan to expand gambling, sexual misconduct allegations against a state lawmaker and why Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Ohio.

We discuss leadership changes at the Ohio Democratic Party, a bipartisan plan to relieve medical debt, the latest with Larry Householder and why lawmakers want to ban ranked choice voting.

We discuss the May 6 election, problems with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, a bill to revamp state energy policy and the latest with the Cleveland Browns stadium.  

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel joined Ohio Politics Explained to discuss his new job, higher education and whether he's thinking about a run for governor in 2026.