Snollygoster: Recent Episodes
WOSU Public Media
Snollygoster takes an in-depth look at politics in Ohio. Each week we dig into the top political stories in Columbus and Ohio and explore national stories that impact the state by talking with politicians, reporters and other news-makers. (In case you're wondering, a "snollygoster" is a shrewd and unprincipled politician.)Listen to Snollygoster on the WOSU Public Media mobile app or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Ohio Democratic Party has a new chair. Amy Acton is building a campaign to run for Ohio governor. And everyone is waiting for Sherrod Brown to announce his plans.
The third version of the state budget is out, and it proposes cutting taxes for any Ohioan making more than $100,000 a year. The State Senate would do that by flattening the state income tax.
Taxes have come to dominate the political debate in Washington, and they loom as a growing concern at the Ohio Statehouse.
Attorney General Dave Yost has dropped out of the campaign for governor. Yost said his steep climb to the nomination had become a vertical cliff. For now, Vivek Ramaswamy’s path to the Republican nomination for governor looks clear.
A panel of experts breaks down President Trump's falling approval numbers in polls and the uncertainty over tariffs.
A new poll shows Trump has a 47% approval rating while 48% disapprove—a statistical tie—but that number is down 7 points from February. The poll’s co-director, Bowling Green State University political science professor Robert Alexander, joins the show.
The Browns are looking to move to a new domed stadium in suburban Cleveland. And state lawmakers seem eager to help. The governor wants to tax sports betting companies and use the money to help the Browns and other teams. The Ohio House wants the state to borrow $600 million to just help the Browns. Kennesaw State University economics professor J.C. Bradbury joins the show.
Last week, former Sen. Sherrod Brown announced the formation of the Dignity of Work Institute. The goal, he says, is to help Democrats and Republicans better understand the lives of American workers. It also keeps him in the spotlight as he considers whether to run for office again.
If you're a politician who wants to get elected, promising tax cuts is a popular strategy. Republican candidates for governor are doing just that, floating the idea to eliminate Ohio's income tax.
The Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, could be coming to Ohio. We discuss what that might look like with a panel of political observers.
Gov. DeWine gave his State of the State address this week and said things are going pretty well. He called for mandatory basic skills lessons in school—things like basic finance and first aid—and wants to make students leave their phones at home. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joins the show.
Vivek Ramaswamy officially launched his run for governor this week with several rallies. The wealthy entrepreneur, who burst on the scene in 2023 with his run for president, now wants to succeed Mike DeWine. Political strategist Terry Casey joins the show.
It's week two of the Jim Tressel era at the Ohio Statehouse and he has not set up a campaign website... yet. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy has filed preliminary paperwork to run for governor. He'll face Attorney General Dave Yost, who announced his candidacy last month.
Mike DeWine did keep his Lt. Governor pick a secret until he and Jim Tressel walked before cameras on Monday morning. To the surprise of everyone, he announced the former OSU football coach and former Youngstown State University president was his nominee to be his right-hand office holder. Reporter David Skolnick of the Youngstown Vindicator joins the show.
Our roundtable discussion covers President Trump’s immigration round-up, the move to end capital punishment in Ohio, and a proposal to change Ohio’s fairly new voter-approved law legalizing recreational marijuana.
Advocacy groups believe Trump's rescinded federal funding freeze would have disrupted the Ohio budget process and jeopardized critical programs. Hannah Halbert, director of Policy Matters Ohio, joins the show.
After months of speculation, Gov Mike DeWine announced that Jon Husted was his pick to be the next U.S. Senator from Ohio. Of course, Husted is replacing short-timer J.D. Vance, who job-hopped into the Vice Presidency.
This DeWine appointment to the U.S. Senate has become a bit of a soap opera. Joining us to try to help us understand this is long-time Republican strategist Terry Casey.
Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton ended speculation and announced this week that she will indeed run for governor next year as a Democrat. Meanwhile, Gov. DeWine still has a big decision to make on who will fill JD Vance's seat in the U.S. Senate.
In the 248 years of America's existence, there have been tumultuous years and 2024 is going to be right up there. Joining the show to relive the memories is long-time Statehouse reporter Darrel Rowland.
The legislative session between Election Day and the end of the legislative term is always a busy one. Maybe lawmakers are just like the rest of us and they procrastinate. Former State Representative Gene Krebs joins the show.
Voters last month soundly rejected a measure that would have appointed an independent, non-political commission to draw legislative and congressional lines. An Ohio lawmaker says there is an alternate solution: expand the size of the legislature. Joining us to discuss this proposal is State Sen. Bill Blessing.
The House Republican caucus voted unanimously to nominate current Senate President Matt Huffman to be the next House Speaker. Joining us to discuss this shrewd move is Sarah Donaldson, Statehouse reporter for Ohio Public Radio.
President-elect Donald Trump continues to build his cabinet. Gov. Mike DeWine continues to take calls from almost every Republican officeholder in the state, saying he or she wants Vice President-elect JD Vance's soon-to-be vacant Senate seat. Republican Strategist Terry Casey, Democratic Strategist Dale Butland, WOSU's talk show and podcast host Anna Staver and USA Today Ohio Network Reporter Laura Bischoff break it down.
Donald Trump rolled to a swing state sweep. Bernie Moreno rode President Trump's coattails to Washington. Republicans swept all three contested seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. How did Democrats get it so wrong? David Stebenne, professor of Political History at Ohio State University joins the show.
If the polls are to be believed, the candidates for President are tied nationally, and in the seven swing states. Joining the show this week is Anna Staver, host of WOSU's "All Sides with Anna Staver."
Just a dozen days remain, and the candidates for president are done with microtargeting by trying to appeal to narrow groups of voters. They are making their final pitches. Retired Ohio State University political science professor Paul Beck joins the show.
A New York Times/Siena College poll last week showed Harris’s support among Black voters was less than Joe Biden received in 2020. Joining the show to discuss this and other issues is Sam Gresham, a long-time political observer and activist who works with Common Cause Ohio.
National polling firms and out-of-state universities don’t survey Ohio voters as much as they did in the first 15 years of this century. But there are polls out there.
There were some sharp critiques, but a whole lot of passive aggressiveness and a fair amount of substance. Overall, the vice-presidential candidates spent most of their time targeting their opponents’ running mates. WOSU’s Anna Staver, host of the talk show and podcast All Sides with Anna Staver, joins the show.
Experts predict ad spending in Ohio will top $400 million. Nearly a half billion dollars will be spent to get you to vote for a U.S. Senator, decide a constitutional amendment, a member of Congress or a rapid bus line tax. Longtime political strategist Bob Clegg joins the show.
Another week of bomb threats has disturbed Springfield, Ohio. This all follows Sen. JD Vance's and former President Donald Trump's lies that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were stealing residents' pets and eating them. Longtime political reporter Darrel Rowland joins the show.
Evangelical protestants are the fastest growing religious tradition in Ohio. In part 4 of WOSU's State of Religions series, we look at the demographic shifts in Ohio's religious communities.
It’s hard to fault lawmakers for letting religious beliefs guide decisions, but where is the line between following morals and degrading the separation of church and state? In part 3 of WOSU's State of Religion series, we hear from lawmakers about how their faith affects their work.
All this week, WOSU is examining the intersection of religion and politics in Ohio. In Part 2 of WOSU's State of Religion series, we're examining how faith-aimed lobbying efforts shape policy in Ohio.
Ohio’s diverse religious history from early settlers to the present day has shaped the state's cultural fabric. In this four-part series, the WOSU News team explores religion in Ohio with reports examining how faith influences politics and policy in the state.
Mentions of crowd sizes and eating pets were just two moments from what was an incredible piece of political theater during the first and possibly only debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. We discuss the debate with Nate French, associate teaching professor at Wake Forest University and an expert in political communication.
Usually, Labor Day marks the start of the home stretch of a presidential campaign, but this campaign only began six weeks ago. Ohio State political science professor Wendy Smooth joins the show to discuss the upcoming election.
This week, we’re doing something a little different. We’ll be listening to WOSU's most recent Politics and a Pint event where three political reporters and host Mike Thompson sat in front of a large crowd at a local brewpub and talked about this chaotic political season.
Ohioans will vote in November on a plan to change the way the state draws its legislative districts. Some don't like the plan and think Iowa has a system worth replicating. WOSU reporter George Shillcock joins the show to discuss the Iowa way.
Midwesterners have cornered the market on vice presidential candidates for the 2024 election. This week Vice President Kamala Harris named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz’s selection follows former President Donald Trump naming Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance as his running mate. Joining us to discuss the issue is another proud midwesterner and political expert, Ohio State University political scientist Paul Beck.
To get a handle on how this is playing out in Ohio, we talked to four veteran political observers: progressive activist Morgan Harper, Republican strategist Terry Casey, Ohio Public Radio reporter Jo Ingles and Cleveland.com reporter Andrew Tobias.
There is a new likely Democratic nominee for President of the United States. Former Ohio Democratic Chair David Pepper—a man who has been through candidate nomination processes, recruiting candidates and guiding them to Election Day—joins the show to discuss this tumultuous pivot for Democrats.
Former President Donald Trump ended all speculation and named Ohio’s junior U.S. Senator, JD Vance, as his running mate this week at the Republican National Convention. To understand why Trump may have made this pick, longtime Vance adviser Jai Chabria joins the show.
Voters will not get the chance to increase Ohio’s minimum wage in this year’s election. Supporters of an effort to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour have come up short in their attempt to get the proposed amendment on the ballot. Joining us to discuss the campaign is the president of One Fair Wage, Saru Jayaraman.
With the 2024 election just around the corner, the former president continues to warn of a rigged election months before ballots are cast. Fair election advocates are mobilizing to counter the false narrative. Democratic former Congressman Zack Space of the bi-partisan Democracy Defense Project joins the show.
Next week, Biden and Trump will meet again on the debate stage. CNN will host the first of two scheduled debates at its studios in Atlanta. Republican Strategist Terry Casey joins the show.
In order to extend the campaign filing deadline so President Biden’s name would appear on the Ohio ballot, lawmakers insisted on another law banning foreign campaign contributions. Joining us now to discuss this law, its constitutionality, and possibly unintended—or maybe intended—consequences is Case Western Reserve University Law Professor Atiba Ellis.
It looks like Ohio voters will get the chance to vote for Joe Biden for president if they choose, but it’s been a tortuous process to get there. Meanwhile, Biden continues to struggle in national polls. Kim Agyekum, president of Ohio Young Democrats, joins the show.
The polling news was not good for President Joe Biden this week. He is trailing Trump in some swing states. Long-time Democratic strategist Dale Butland joins the show for a look at the Biden campaign and whether he has any hope of making Ohio a swing state.
Many of our major professional sports stadiums are between 20 and 30 years old, about the time owners start thinking of major renovations or new homes. Victor Matheson, economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross, joins the show.
It is no secret that Ohio’s congressional and legislative districts are gerrymandered to the extreme. The Brennan Center's Yuri Rudensky joins the show to discuss a new study that reveals how gerrymandering has taken away a true choice for many voters.
This past week, we learned that First Energy gave $2.5 million to a group that helped Mike DeWine be elected governor in 2018. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler joins the show to discuss the latest details in the ongoing nuclear bailout scandal.
Remember Issue 2? The one Ohio voters passed last November? The one that makes recreational marijuana legal in Ohio? Attorney Tom Haren joins the show to talk about when consumers can expect to be able to make their first dispensary purchase.
This week, former Ohio Public Utilities chairman Sam Randazzo died of an apparent suicide. We discuss the role he played in the nuclear bailout scandal with WOSU reporter and host of The Power Grab Renee Fox.
As we saw in last week's election, Ohio firmly remains firmly Trump Country. His endorsement of Bernie Moreno led to the Cleveland businessman's landslide victory.
There can be no doubt—at least for the Republican party—that Ohio is firmly MAGA country. A crowded primary for the U.S. Senate revealed a clear choice for Bernie Moreno by Ohioans. OSU Political Scientist Paul Beck joins the show to discuss this week's election results.
Suddenly, Matt Dolan has become the center of attention in the Republican U.S. Senate Primary in Ohio. Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joins the show to discuss the recent polls and endorsements in the race.
Ohio's 9th Congressional District was a pretty safe Democratic district for years. It is much more competitive now, and Republicans think they have a shot. University of Toledo Political Science Professor Sam Nelson joins the show.
Primary Election Month is here. Early voting began Wednesday. The big race in Ohio is the GOP primary for the US Senate, with the winner getting to take on Sherrod Brown. University of Cincinnati Political Science Professor David Niven joins the show.
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin was in Ohio this week on a listening tour. During his appearances, the Democrat promoted the new political group Americans Together, which claims to be a platform for moderate voters.
Senator JD Vance continues to double down on his support for Donald Trump despite initial comments that were quite critical. Whether he is a true believer or a political opportunist is up for debate. Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins the show.
The death penalty debate has resurfaced in Ohio after years of dormancy. A new method involving nitrogen gas has emerged, as demonstrated by Alabama's recent execution. Gary Mohr, who served as Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections from 2011 to 2018, joins the show.
Ohio Republicans may not have much of a presidential primary to decide when they go to the polls on March 19, but they will have a U.S. Senate primary to sort out. We discuss the recent debate with NBC4 TV’s Colleen Marshall.
The Ohio House voted to override the governor's veto of a bill banning various forms of gender-affirming care for minors. Additionally, the bill seeks to prevent transgender girls and women from participating in female sports teams in high schools and colleges in Ohio. Ohio Public Radio reporter Jo Ingles joins the show.
Gov. DeWine vetoed a bill to ban many forms of healthcare for transgender minors and ban transgender girls from participating on female sports teams in high school and college. Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio joins the show to discuss the issue and the effort to override the governor's decision.
We take a deep dive into the politics of Ohio, reflecting on the eventful year of 2023 and looking ahead to the upcoming 2024.
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens floated the idea of eliminating term limits for the state's lawmakers last week. We take a closer look at term limits with Democratic strategist and lobbyist Derrick Clay.
On the finale of The Power Grab we take a look at the cost of corruption cost and if it has led to any meaningful changes in the state.
Recreational cannabis is legal in the state of Ohio, but legislators are determined to make changes to the law that was overwhelmingly approved by voters. Republican State Rep. Jaime Callender joins the show.
FirstEnergy figured they could get their customers to subsidize their poorly performing nuclear power plants. To do so, they paid a $4 million bribe to Sam Randazzo just before Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him as the chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Abortion rights will be Issue 1 both on the ballot and in the minds of most voters going to the polls. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, host Mike Thompson discusses the politics of abortion with long-time political reporter Ken Rudin, host of the Political Junkie podcast.
Recent political wins by Ohio Democrats have some thinking that the state might be swinging more towards being a "purple" state. But that might be wishful thinking. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, host Mike Thompson talks with Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
Abortion rights will be on the ballot in November and conservatives can't agree on whether a compromise should be on the table. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, host Mike Thompson talks to Republican strategist Terry Casey about a rift in the GOP.
Nearly four in 10 voters came out in the heat of late July and early August to reject Issue 1. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, host Mike Thompson talks with supporters and opponents about the next steps.
The campaigns for and against Issue 1 are spending millions of dollars on TV ads to get voters to the polls. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson talks with Herb Asher, retired Ohio State University political science professor.
Ohio voters will vote on abortion rights in November but whether that will require 60% of the vote or a simple majority will be decided on August 8. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the latest polling and the pro-marijuana supporters racing to collect more signatures.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose is officially in the race for U.S. Senate for 2024. On this episode of Snollygoster, host Steve Brown discusses the timing of LaRose's announcement and recent polling on Issue 1. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joins the show.
On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the messaging around Issue 1, which could raise the threshold to change the Ohio Constitution.
Campaigners have submitted signatures for the ballot effort to enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss that campaign and the pro-marijuana legalization issue that could also be on the November ballot.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling is a win for redistricting reform advocates in Ohio and other states. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss what the case means with Ohio State professor and election law expert Steve Huefner.
It seems like a special August election is in the cards for Ohio. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the recent Ohio Supreme Court ruling that allowed the vote to go forward.
Republicans at the statehouse – and in state capitols across the county – are pushing anti-transgender legislation with very similar language. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss this trend with Associated Press reporter Jeff McMillan.
The Ohio Supreme Court is expected to rule any day now on whether or not voters will get a chance to decide to make it harder to change the state's constitution. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss what is at stake.
The fight over Issue 1 continues, both in the hearts of voters and the courtroom. Issue 1 is a proposal to make it harder to amend the state constitution by raising the threshold for amendment from a simple majority to 60%. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose joins the show.
A joint resolution approved by the legislature will ask voters if they want to increase the majority needed to pass an amendment but legal cases could get in the way.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss this ongoing legal battle.
Ohio lawmakers are seeking to hold an August election to ask voters whether to make it harder to change the state constitution. Now, the Ohio Supreme Court will weigh in. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss legal wrangling over this issue.
Hundreds of protesters filled the Statehouse Wednesday as the House debated whether to ask voters to make it harder to change the Ohio constitution this summer. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss what to expect in a controversial August election on this issue.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose was caught on tape pitching himself to Republicans as a potential U.S. Senate candidate. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss LaRose's soft campaign and his viability as a challenger to Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown.
President Joe Biden announced that he will seek a second term in a highly-produced video message. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the level of enthusiasm for Biden amid the concerns about his age and ability to serve. Progressive activist Morgan Harper joins the show.
During an Ohio House committee meeting on an August ballot measure to make it harder to change the Ohio Constitution, members shut off debate without opposition input. Cries of "shame" rang out from the audience.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the future of the effort.
Republicans are beginning to realize that playing defense is a lot harder than playing offense. After recent success in limiting abortion access, Republicans find themselves defending a position most Americans disagree with.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss whether a compromise might be reached.
Republican lawmakers at the Statehouse want to make it harder to change the constitution before a November vote on abortion rights. To do that, they themselves must change the constitution.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, host Mike Thompson discusses efforts to amend the constitution. Former state representative Mike Curtin joins the show.
Ohio’s new voter photo ID law goes into effect on April 7. That means you can’t just use a utility bill or a mortgage statement to prove your identity. You need an Ohio-issued photo ID.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about the impact of the new law.
Republican lawmakers who oppose abortion want to make 60% the new threshold for amending the Ohio constitution. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the rush for a special election in August, before a possible abortion rights vote in November. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joins the show.
A key piece of evidence in the corruption trial of Larry Householder and Matt Borges was a recorded conversation between Borges and FBI informant Tyler Fehrman.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk with Fehrman about his decision to blow the whistle when his former mentor offered him a shady deal.
After seven weeks of testimony, a jury has found former House Speaker Larry Householder and former state Republican Chairman Matt Borges guilty of bribery and racketeering.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the verdict.
Anti-abortion rights organizations are getting ready to defeat the proposed amendment that would essentially codify the Roe v. Wade decision in the Ohio constitution. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the proposal with Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right To Life.
On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the proposal's chances of succeeding at the ballot. Dr. Sri Thakkilapati of Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom joins the show.
The Ohio House is making up for lost time. After a leadership squabble, lawmakers have introduced dozens of bills, including income tax cuts and a ban on transgender girls playing high school and college sports.
On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the debate on who should control the campaign funds for the House GOP.
For the third time as governor and the first time in his second term, Mike DeWine delivered his State of the State address this week. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the governors speech, which avoided divisive hot-button cultural issues.
Federal prosecutors say Larry Householder and Matt Borges participated in a $61 million bribery scheme to get Householder elected speaker and pass a billion-dollar nuclear bailout law. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the opening of the trial. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow joins the show.
The bribery and racketeering trial of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder—one of the biggest figures in Ohio politics over the last two decades—is set to begin this week. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the state's largest-ever bribery scandal.
Mike DeWine took the oath of office as an elected official for his second term as governor and for likely the last time. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the event and what's on his governing bucket list.Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau reporter Andy Chow joins the show.
Last month, Republican House members said they supported State Rep. Derek Merrin of suburban Toledo to be the next speaker, but that was not to be. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about a surprising turn to Jason Stephens for the top job. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau reporter Jo Ingles joins the show.
Whether it was the November election, unconstitutional legislative maps or the fight over abortion rights, there were a lot of stories that kept on giving throughout 2022. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown sorts through the biggest political stories in Ohio this year.
After the Dobbs decision came down this summer, abortion rights supporters in Ohio turned their attention to the ballot. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss why a voter-approved change to the state constitution seems like the only way to restore abortion access.
The House and Senate are working on a couple of bills that would change voting rules, including a proposed requirement for a photo ID in order to vote.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss whether such measures are solutions in search of a problem. Mia Lewis from Common Cause Ohio joins the show.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is pushing to update the rules for changing Ohio’s consitution, moving the threshold from 50% to 60% to pass an amendment. On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown look to Florida to see what that kind of change might look like. Prof. Susan MacManus of the University of South Florida joins the show.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year... the lame-duck session at the Ohio General Assembly. So many bills. So many important issues. So little time to consider them before they become law. It’s anything but lame.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the bills quickly moving through the capitol. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow joins the show.
Republicans captured every statewide office: Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and three seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. The races were not even that close. Every statewide Republican won by double digits, except J.D. Vance in the U.S. Senate race.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the major takeaways from the 2022 midterm elections.
Issue 2 would make Ohio the 7th state to explicitly ban non-citizens from voting in elections. Ohio’s constitution already says you have to be a citizen to vote, but Yellow Springs tried to let non-citizens vote in local contests.On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the proposed state constitutional amendment on voting that critics call unnecessary. State Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Green Township) joins the show.
Just over a week before the official election day, more than a million Ohioans have voted or requested a mail-in ballot. If you compare this year’s early voting to early voting in the last mid-term election, 40,000 more ballots have been cast.
The race for U.S. Senate remains neck and neck, but there are signs that J.D. Vance is pulling ahead just a bit—at least in one poll.
Democrat Tim Ryan and Republican J.D. Vance stood shoulder to shoulder on a Cleveland TV station this week and argued who was the best person to represent Ohio in the U.S. Senate.
It's now just five short weeks until election day and just a week or so before Ohioans can start casting early ballots. The ads are all over TV. Our mailboxes are filling with direct mail. Our inboxes are getting swamped with fundraising e-mails.
In the latest Cost of Voting Study, which evaluates all 50 states based on what it calls "the overall investment a resident must make in time and resources to vote," Ohio was ranked 41st.
All around the country candidates are refusing to participate in the age-old tradition of a live political debate. Most of those refusing to debate or throwing up roadblocks to debates are Republicans.
A surprise ruling by a Hamilton County judge has put Ohio’s six-week abortion ban on hold.
The fall campaign season is usually a time when political parties come together. But this is 2022, and this is Ohio, and 67 days before the election, there is a leadership fight in the Ohio Republican Party.
It’s a tradition in party politics that goes back generations—candidates forsake the extreme elements of their parties and distance themselves from popularity-challenged party members.In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss why candidates "race to the middle" in general elections.
Newly-released text messages show that Lt. Gov. Jon Husted worked diligently behind the scenes to pass HB6, the nuclear power plant bailout law. We discuss what this new information means in the ongoing saga of the $60 million bribery scandal that led to multiple arrests and indictments.
After a period of silence, U.S. Senate candidate and author J.D. Vance is back with new campaign ads. One ad featuring his wife, Usha Vance, tells his life story, which seems odd for a candidate who rose to fame for writing a best-selling memoir.
While Ohio voters largely stayed home on Tuesday, a vote on abortion rights brought an impressive amount of Kansas voters to the polls.
Activists on both sides of the abortion issue this week swarmed the Indiana Statehouse to rail against or cheer on a bill that would ban most abortions in our neighbor to the west. The debate provides a preview of what’s to come when Ohio lawmakers take up the issue.
Democrat Tim Ryan has maintained a high-profile presence in Ohio's U.S. Senate race since the May primary, while the Republican nominee J.D. Vance has been laying low.
After the Indianapolis Star reported on a 10-year-old Ohio rape survivor who had to travel to Indiana for an abortion, politicians didn't waste time politicizing the story. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about how many Republicans were quick to call the story "fake news."
Last week the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade and allowed states to regulate abortion once again, just like they could back in 1973. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss what this means for a state whose leaders strongly oppose abortion rights. Jo Ingles, a reporter for the Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau, joins the show.
President Biden is asking Congress to suspend the federal gas tax for three months and proposing that states do the same. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss why Ohio is likely not going to join the effort.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tim Ryan is working to erase Republicans’ built-in advantage in this state. New ads claim his opponent J.D. Vance is anti-police and touts his support of President Trump's trade policy.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, host Mike Thompson talks with a panel of reporters and pundits about guns and redistricting quandaries.
After a mass shooting, gun control advocates want to ban assault-style weapons and install background checks. Gun rights advocates argue the solution is more "good guys with guns." In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the bill that would make arming state teachers with less training possible.
A vast majority of Americans support new laws to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, but Republican lawmakers seem set on eliminating regulations. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss Ohio's track record on gun legislation.
The biggest political story of the spring is abortion. That's thanks to the leaked majority opinion that indicates a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court is ready to overturn Roe vs Wade. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk to Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, about his efforts.
A group of Democratic women in the Ohio Legislature wants to change the Ohio Constitution to protect abortion rights and all methods of contraception. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk with State Senator Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) about the effort.
JD Vance may have been rising in the polls before election day, but it was former President Trump’s endorsement and one big super PAC contribution that put him over the top. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the race for Ohio's open Senate seat and the other primary results.
In the days before the primary, Republican U.S. Senate candidates and their affiliated Super PAC’s are scorching the earth with television ads attacking each other. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about how an endorsement from the biggest name in Republican politics might impact the race.
In their gubernatorial campaigns, former Dayton mayor Nan Whaley and former Cincinnati mayor John Cranley have been cordial, but that's changing. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about how the democratic primary is heating up as election day approaches.
Are the middle class paying their fair share of income tax in this country? In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss a soundbite from Senate candidate Mike Gibbons that might not play well with some voters.
Ohio lawmakers will consider a bill modeled after a Florida law that limits what can be taught on LGBTQ issues in schools. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about how the bill might fare in the Buckeye state. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow joins the show.
After days of work creating new maps with out-of-state experts, Republican members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted to approve a tweaked version of the previous unconstitutional district map. In this week's episode of Snollygoster, host Steve Brown talks with Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler about the latest in the legislative map saga.
Can the Ohio Redistricting Commission—with some outside help—finally come up with a state district map that the Ohio Supreme Court will approve? In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Steve Brown and Ann Fisher discuss the odds.
How do Russia and its invasion of Ukraine factor into the race for the US Senate here in Ohio? In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss why business ties to Russia are putting some candidates on the defensive. Statehouse correspondent for the Associated Press Julie Carr Smyth joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about how some legislators want to stop the impending gas tax hike as the price at the pumps continues to climb. Send questions and comments to snollygoster@wosu.org.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the fact that gerrymandering is an issue with both major political parties. Joshua Solomon, the capitol reporter for the Albany Times Union, joins the show to discuss New York's legislative maps.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the latest news on the standoff between the Ohio Redistricting Commission and the Ohio Supreme Court. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau Reporter Andy Chow joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss Sen. Rob Portman's endorsement of Jane Timken in the Republican primary for Ohio's open U.S. Senate seat.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown consider how the state can hold primaries this Spring when district boundaries are still not defined. OSU law professor Ned Foley joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, host Mike Thompson discusses the opposition to legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. Center for Christian Virtue Policy Director Dave Mahan joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the possible incentives Ohio used to land the $20 billion investment from Intel and what the political ramification might be.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown ask if Michigan's independent redistricting commission is a model worth following. Rick Pluta, the Politics Reporter for Michigan Radio, joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the Ohio Supreme Court decision to reject the state's new legislative district maps. Catherine Turcer, the executive director of Common Cause Ohio, joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown reflect on the January 6 storming of the Capitol building and look ahead to the 2022 election cycle.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the top stories from 2021.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about the possible expansion of medical marijuana in the state.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown talk about the state legislative district maps case before the Ohio Supreme Court.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the potential consequences of the Supreme Court case on Mississippi's abortion law. Reporter Audra Heinrichs joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the redistricting process as Ohio loses a congressional seat. Ohio State University law professor and election law expert Ned Foley joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss Ohio's Congressional redistricting process that could actually yield more competitive races.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the election results and why some races get a little too much attention.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss why local school board races are getting a lot of attention and attracting a lot of new candidates. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau reporter Jo Ingles joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss why Delaware County Commissioners want to limit solar power production on private land. WOSU reporter Michael Lee joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss a new Republican-backed bill to legalize marijuana for anyone over 21. State Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the ongoing Republican efforts to ban vaccine mandates in the state. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse Reporter Andy Chow joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss what might happen in Ohio if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss how lawmakers weave their way through constitutional rules to draw new legislative districts.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, host Mike Thompson discusses the maps released by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. Jen Miller, executive director for the Ohio League of Women Voters, joins the show.
In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss the effort to send a bill to the statehouse for recreational marijuana.