Julie Carr Smyth, The Associated Press

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Julie Carr Smyth, The Associated Press.

Ohio's Republican attorney general suspends his governor bid against a Trump-backed candidate

Ohio's Republican attorney general suspends his governor bid against a Trump-backed candidate

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost suspended his campaign for governor on Friday, just a week after he lost the state Republican Party's endorsement to Trump-backed biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ohio's Republican attorney general suspends his campaign for governor after Trump backed a rival

Ohio's Republican attorney general suspends his campaign for governor after Trump backed a rival

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost suspended his campaign for governor on Friday, just a week after he lost the state Republican Party's endorsement to Trump-backed biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval to face Cory Bowman, JD Vance's half brother, this fall

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval to face Cory Bowman, JD Vance's half brother, this fall

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Vice President JD Vance's half brother Cory Bowman placed second in Cincinnati's mayoral primary on Tuesday, sending the Republican political newcomer into a faceoff with incumbent Aftab Pureval this fall.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval advances to fall election

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval advances to fall election

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval has advanced to the fall election in a three-way nonpartisan primary to lead Ohio's third-largest city.

Court upholds racketeering convictions of ex-Ohio House speaker and lobbyist in $60M bribery scheme

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A federal appeals court upheld the racketeering convictions of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and an ex-lobbyist on Tuesday in a $60 million bribery scheme that a prosecutor had described as likely the largest corruption scheme in state history.

2 Republicans including JD Vance's half brother challenge Cincinnati's Democratic mayor

2 Republicans including JD Vance's half brother challenge Cincinnati's Democratic mayor

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval faces two challengers Tuesday in the city's nonpartisan primary, including Vice President JD Vance's half brother.

Lawmakers pass energy bill ending Ohio ratepayer charges that subsidize two unprofitable coal plants

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- After years of attempts, Ohio lawmakers voted Wednesday to end the subsidy for two unprofitable Cold War-era coal plants that had cost Ohio ratepayers nearly $400,000 a day, after they were tucked into the tainted energy bill at the center of the largest corruption scandal in state history.

Republican JD Vance's half brother wants to be Cincinnati's next mayor

Republican JD Vance's half brother wants to be Cincinnati's next mayor

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Cory Bowman was feeling inspired in January as he headed home after watching his half brother, JD Vance, be inaugurated as vice president.

Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half brother, runs for Cincinnati mayor

Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half brother, runs for Cincinnati mayor

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Cory Bowman was feeling inspired in January as he headed home after watching his half brother, JD Vance, be inaugurated as vice president.

Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half-brother, runs for Cincinnati mayor

Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half-brother, runs for Cincinnati mayor

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Cory Bowman was feeling inspired in January as he headed home after watching his half-brother, JD Vance, be inaugurated as vice president.

Ohio League of Women Voters wants pioneering female justice's portrait brought up from the basement

Ohio League of Women Voters wants pioneering female justice's portrait brought up from the basement

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Ohio League of Women Voters urged the state's high court on Friday to relocate a portrait of the state's first female chief justice from a new exhibit to be located in the courthouse basement back to the building's main hallway.

Trump favorite Jon Husted launches 2026 US Senate campaign in Ohio

Trump favorite Jon Husted launches 2026 US Senate campaign in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Fledgling U.S. Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio launched a bid to retain his seat Wednesday with the backing of President Donald Trump.

Trump favorite Jon Husted launches 2026 U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio

Trump favorite Jon Husted launches 2026 U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Fledgling U.S. Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio launched a bid to retain his seat Wednesday with the backing of President Donald Trump.

After bitter defeats last year, Ohio Democrats are biding time as GOP moves full swing into 2026

After bitter defeats last year, Ohio Democrats are biding time as GOP moves full swing into 2026

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The first television ads dropped this week in the Ohio governor's race that's still more than a year off. The early onslaught by a super PAC allied with Trump-backed gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy drove home how quickly the former bellwether state 's ruling Republicans are seizing the spotlight and staking claims to five statewide executive offices...

JD Vance gets his long-awaited moment to admonish Ukraine's Zelenskyy

JD Vance gets his long-awaited moment to admonish Ukraine's Zelenskyy

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Vice President JD Vance was dismissing Ukraine long before he upended an Oval Office meeting Friday by calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "disrespectful" and asking if he had ever thanked the U.S. for its support.

Trump's early backing of Ramaswamy for Ohio governor seen by some as meant to avoid a nasty primary

Trump's early backing of Ramaswamy for Ohio governor seen by some as meant to avoid a nasty primary

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The sun hadn't set on Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's gubernatorial campaign launch in Ohio earlier this week before President Donald Trump posted his endorsement of the Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur and former Department of Government Efficiency co-chair.

Republican Heather Hill, Appalachian entrepreneur, is inspired by tragedies to run for Ohio governor

Republican Heather Hill, Appalachian entrepreneur, is inspired by tragedies to run for Ohio governor

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Thoughts of her two foster children shot and killed by police still wake Heather Hill from her sleep once or twice a week. The Republican entrepreneur from Appalachia says those nightmares, which at times leave her sobbing, helped propel her into Ohio's 2026 governor's race.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy joins the Ohio governor's race

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy joins the Ohio governor's race

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Vivek Ramaswamy, the Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur who departed the Department of Government Efficiency initiative on President Donald Trump's first day, launched his bid for Ohio governor Monday with promises to institute work requirements for Medicaid and merit pay for all public school teachers and administrators.

Millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy joins the Ohio governor's race

Millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy joins the Ohio governor's race

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Vivek Ramaswamy, the Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur who departed the Department of Government Efficiency initiative on President Donald Trump's first day, launched his bid for Ohio governor Monday with promises to institute work requirements for Medicaid and merit pay for all public school teachers and administrators.

Millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy set to join the Ohio governor's race

Millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy set to join the Ohio governor's race

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Vivek Ramaswamy, the Cincinnati-born biotech entrepreneur who departed the Department of Government Efficiency initiative on President Donald Trump's first day, was expected to launch his bid for Ohio governor Monday.

Veteran state lawmaker Kristina Roegner launches 2026 bid for Ohio treasurer

Veteran state lawmaker Kristina Roegner launches 2026 bid for Ohio treasurer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Republican Ohio Sen. Kristina Roegner, a veteran state lawmaker with fiscal oversight experience and a background in finance, announced Thursday that she is running for state treasurer.

Amid 'new dynamic,' former state Sen. Niraj Antani drops one statewide campaign, launches another

Amid 'new dynamic,' former state Sen. Niraj Antani drops one statewide campaign, launches another

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Republican state Sen. Niraj Antani is suspending his 2026 campaign for Ohio secretary of state to run for state treasurer.

Former Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressel confirmed as Ohio's lieutenant governor

Former Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressel confirmed as Ohio's lieutenant governor

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio State Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressel was confirmed Wednesday as Ohio's next lieutenant governor.

Ohio elections chief Frank LaRose will run for state auditor in 2026

Ohio elections chief Frank LaRose will run for state auditor in 2026

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has decided to launch a bid for state auditor in 2026, continuing the recent game of musical chairs among high-ranking Ohio Republicans.

Callers swamp Senate offices in Trump's first weeks, leading to busy signals and full voicemail

Callers swamp Senate offices in Trump's first weeks, leading to busy signals and full voicemail

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Callers are getting busy signals and voicemail inboxes are full at many U.S. Senate offices as people try to reach out and voice their opinions on President Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, executive orders and moves to dismantle various federal programs.

With Ramaswamy run expected, Ohio treasurer drops bid for governor to run for secretary of state

With Ramaswamy run expected, Ohio treasurer drops bid for governor to run for secretary of state

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's expected run for Ohio governor continued to reshape the 2026 election on Wednesday, as two-term state Treasurer Robert Sprague dropped his bid for the job to run for secretary of state.

Callers swamp Senate offices in Trump's first weeks, only to get busy signals and full voicemail

Callers swamp Senate offices in Trump's first weeks, only to get busy signals and full voicemail

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Callers are getting busy signals and voicemail inboxes are full at many U.S. Senate offices as people try to reach out and voice their opinions on President Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, executive orders and moves to dismantle various federal programs.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost launches 2026 bid for governor

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost launches 2026 bid for governor

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Republican Attorney General Dave Yost announced Thursday that he is running to be the next governor of Ohio -- wedging the news between the departure from the race of a top rival and the expected entry as soon as next week of a new one.

A mad scramble for JD Vance's seat in the Senate is to end with the governor's announcement Friday

A mad scramble for JD Vance's seat in the Senate is to end with the governor's announcement Friday

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Republican Gov. Mike DeWine plans to announce his choice to succeed Vice President-elect JD Vance in the U.S. Senate on Friday, a decision that will reveal the power of Donald Trump's continuing sway in the one-time swing state he's now won three times.

JD Vance's Ohio hometown struggles with how to recognize the incoming vice president

JD Vance's Ohio hometown struggles with how to recognize the incoming vice president

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (AP) -- It was a month after her son's election as vice president of the United States and JD Vance 's mother wondered why the city of his birth had yet to recognize him.

Vice President-elect JD Vance resigns from the Senate

Vice President-elect JD Vance resigns from the Senate

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Vice President-elect JD Vance is resigning from his seat in the U.S. Senate, effective Friday.

Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments in watchdog group's records dispute with state attorney general

Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments in watchdog group's records dispute with state attorney general

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a long-running public records case pitting the state's top law enforcement officer against a national watchdog group that is digging into his ties with the Republican Attorney Generals Association.

Dr. Amy Acton, who helped lead Ohio's early pandemic response, joins 2026 governor's race

Dr. Amy Acton, who helped lead Ohio's early pandemic response, joins 2026 governor's race

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton, who became a household name in the state in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, is running for governor.

Ohio governor vetoes medical free speech clause he says would gut state's regulatory power

Ohio governor vetoes medical free speech clause he says would gut state's regulatory power

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed part of a bill late Thursday that state lawmakers cast as protecting the medical free speech of doctors and other health professionals but that the Republican governor says would "totally gut" the state's ability to regulate misconduct.

Democrat Sherrod Brown says US Senate departure won't be the last Ohioans hear from him

Democrat Sherrod Brown says US Senate departure won't be the last Ohioans hear from him

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown made clear during a farewell speech Tuesday that he does not plan to abandon his career-long fight for American workers despite suffering a bitter defeat last month in Ohio, where it's become nearly impossible for his party to win statewide elections.

The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge

The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge

AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- Before the November presidential election, Ohio's secretary of state and attorney general announced investigations into potential voter fraud that included people suspected of casting ballots even though they were not U.S. citizens.

Ohio Supreme Court sides with pharmacies in appeal of $650 million opioid judgment

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the state's product liability law prohibits counties from bringing public nuisance claims against national pharmaceutical chains as they did as part of national opioid litigation, a decision that could overturn a $650 million judgment against the pharmacies.

Trump-backed Derek Merrin concedes to Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in Ohio

Trump-backed Derek Merrin concedes to Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Her Trump-endorsed Republican rival said Friday that he had called Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur to concede defeat in the 2024 election.

JD Vance is leaving the Senate for the vice presidency. That's set off a scramble for his Ohio seat

JD Vance is leaving the Senate for the vice presidency. That's set off a scramble for his Ohio seat

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- JD Vance's election as vice president has opened up one of Ohio's U.S. Senate seats for the third time in as many years, setting off a scramble for the appointment among the state's ruling Republicans.

Ohio Democrat Marcy Kaptur extends tenure as longest-serving woman in US House with election win

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur won another term in the U.S. House on Wednesday, after defeating a Republican state lawmaker endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump.

Republican Jason Stephens, who oversaw historically divided Ohio House, drops bid for speaker

Republican Jason Stephens, who oversaw historically divided Ohio House, drops bid for speaker

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Republican Jason Stephens, who has presided for the past two years over one of the most tumultuous periods in recent Ohio House history, said Monday that he will not seek another term as speaker.

Ohio Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes wins reelection as Rep. Kaptur's race remains too early to call

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes won reelection to a second term representing a northeast Ohio district targeted by Republicans, but fellow Democrat Marcy Kaptur's race remained too early to call Wednesday.

Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes wins reelection as Rep. Marcy Kaptur's race remains too early to call

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes won reelection to a second term representing a northeast Ohio district targeted by Republicans, but fellow Democrat Marcy Kaptur's race remained too early to call Wednesday .

Democrat wins key US House seat in Ohio while 2 other incumbents defend their seats

Democrat wins key US House seat in Ohio while 2 other incumbents defend their seats

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Democrats won a key congressional seat and were defending two others in tight races in Ohio.

Trump-backed Republican Bernie Moreno defeats incumbent US Sen. Sherrod Brown in key Ohio race

Trump-backed Republican Bernie Moreno defeats incumbent US Sen. Sherrod Brown in key Ohio race

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Republicans prevailed Tuesday in a must-win Senate race in Ohio, as Trump-backed Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno defeated Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown with control of the chamber hanging in the balance.

Ohio voters reject replacing troubled mapmaking system with citizen-led redistricting commission

Ohio voters reject replacing troubled mapmaking system with citizen-led redistricting commission

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio voters rejected a constitutional amendment Tuesday that would have established a citizen-led redistricting commission to replace an existing mapmaking system that repeatedly produced unconstitutional maps.

Democrats in Ohio defending 3 key seats in fight for control of US House

Democrats in Ohio defending 3 key seats in fight for control of US House

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Democrats are defending three key congressional seats in Ohio on Tuesday, with control of the chamber in play.

3-term Democrat Sherrod Brown tries to hold key US Senate seat in expensive race

3-term Democrat Sherrod Brown tries to hold key US Senate seat in expensive race

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Three-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio faces perhaps the toughest reelection challenge of his career Tuesday in the most expensive Senate race of the year as control of the chamber hangs in the balance.

Ohio set to decide constitutional amendment establishing a citizen-led redistricting commission

Ohio set to decide constitutional amendment establishing a citizen-led redistricting commission

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio voters will decide Tuesday whether they want to set up a citizen-led redistricting commission to replace the state's troubled political mapmaking system.

Ohio's first female House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson remembered as a trailblazer and legend

Ohio's first female House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson remembered as a trailblazer and legend

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The late Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio's first and only female House speaker, was remembered during a Statehouse memorial service Thursday for blazing trails for women with grit, grace and a guiding spirit. Dozens of the Republican women she had mentored wore red in her honor, splashing the packed atrium with her signature "power color."

Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio's first and only female House speaker, lies in state at Statehouse

Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio's first and only female House speaker, lies in state at Statehouse

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The governor and other present and past elected officials paid their respects to the late Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio's first and only female House speaker and a force in state and national Republican politics, as she lay in state at the Ohio Statehouse Thursday ahead of a public funeral service.

Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio's first and only female House speaker, to lie in state at Statehouse

Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio's first and only female House speaker, to lie in state at Statehouse

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The late Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio's first and only female House speaker and a force in state and national Republican politics, is set to lie in state Thursday at the Ohio Statehouse ahead of a public funeral service.

Ohio Supreme Court finds attorney general erred in rejecting voting amendment based on title

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Ohio Supreme Court delivered a blow to Republican Attorney General Dave Yost on Wednesday, ruling that he overstepped his authority by rejecting a voting-related amendment's ballot petition solely because he objected to the title.

Ohio's first female House speaker, Republican Jo Ann Davidson, champion of GOP women, has died at 97

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio's first woman House speaker and an advocate for putting effective Republican women in office, died Friday. She was 97.

Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, scion of Republican family, backs Democrat Sherrod Brown for Senate

Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, scion of Republican family, backs Democrat Sherrod Brown for Senate

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, scion of one of the state's best-known Republican families, threw his support Sunday behind Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in his hotly contested reelection race against GOP nominee Bernie Moreno.

Moreno's abortion comment rattles debate in expensive Senate race in Republican-leaning Ohio

Moreno's abortion comment rattles debate in expensive Senate race in Republican-leaning Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- An off-the-cuff comment about reproductive rights by Republican Bernie Moreno in Ohio's tight Senate race has put abortion at the center of debate in the most expensive Senate campaign this year. And that's just where Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown wanted it.

Disputes over access to the vote intensify as Ohioans begin to cast ballots

Disputes over access to the vote intensify as Ohioans begin to cast ballots

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Several disputes over voter rights in Ohio were unresolved Tuesday as the state began accepting early ballots in this fall's election for president, a key U.S. Senate race and a redistricting measure.

Pro-Palestinian protesters pitch encampment outside Jewish Democrat's Ohio home

Pro-Palestinian protesters pitch encampment outside Jewish Democrat's Ohio home

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Masked pro-Palestinian demonstrators escalated their harassment of a Jewish congressman on the eve of Monday's anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, pitching an encampment outside Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman 's Cincinnati residence.

Anti-Israel protesters pitch encampment outside Jewish Democrat's Ohio home

Anti-Israel protesters pitch encampment outside Jewish Democrat's Ohio home

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Masked anti-Israel demonstrators escalated their harassment of a Jewish congressman on the eve of Monday's anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, pitching an encampment outside Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman 's Cincinnati residence.

Anti-Israel protesters set up encampment outside home of Jewish congressman in Ohio

Anti-Israel protesters set up encampment outside home of Jewish congressman in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Masked anti-Israel demonstrators escalated their harassment of a Jewish congressman on the eve of Monday's anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, pitching an encampment outside Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman 's Cincinnati residence.