Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a law legalizing sports betting. He now says he's opposed to it
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- If Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine could turn back time, he would not have signed the law that legalized sports betting in his state.
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.
Several New Jersey polling places receive threats similar to ones that disrupted voting last year
Law enforcement and election officials in New Jersey acted swiftly Tuesday to secure polling places following a series of bomb threats later determined to be unfounded.
Trump allies, undeterred by setbacks in courts and Congress, push anew for citizenship proof to vote
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement for voting in U.S. elections hasn't been able to pass Congress and has been blocked by the courts, so allies of President Donald Trump's administration are pursuing another avenue to try to impose the idea -- asking a little-known federal agency to do it.
Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, a political rookie, decides not to run for governor
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio State football coach and current Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel said Friday he won't run for Ohio governor in 2026, easing the path toward a Republican nomination for biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown makes it official. He'll vie to unseat Trump-backed Sen. Jon Husted
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown officially launched his campaign Monday to return to the U.S. Senate next year, brushing aside his bitter loss to Republican Bernie Moreno last fall and expressing confidence his pro-working class message can continue to resonate with the state's voters.
Sherrod Brown, Ohio's highest-profile Democrat, expected to seek a return to the US Senate in 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio's best-known Democrat, is expected to make another run for the U.S. Senate next year, giving Democrats a likely boost as they wage an uphill fight to win control of the chamber.
JD Vance went kayaking for his birthday. Secret Service had the river level raised
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Vice President JD Vance's security detail had an Ohio river's water level raised last weekend to accommodate a kayaking trip he and his family took to celebrate his 41st birthday.
Ohio river's level raised to accommodate Vice President JD Vance's birthday kayaking trip
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Vice President JD Vance's security detail had an Ohio river's water level raised last week to accommodate a kayaking trip he and his family took to celebrate his 41st birthday.
Effort to repeal Ohio ban on college DEI programs, faculty strikes falls short
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A petition drive seeking the repeal of a recent Ohio law banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as faculty strikes at public colleges and universities has fallen short of the signatures needed to place it before voters, organizers announced Thursday.
Ex-Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill joins race for district held by GOP US Rep. David Joyce
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill has announced plans to run for the northeast Ohio congressional seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. David Joyce.
Ohio graduate student says he'll make another bid for governor in 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio State University master's student said Wednesday that he's making an independent bid for governor in 2026.
Republican Derek Merrin launches bid for rematch against Rep. Marcy Kaptur
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A potential rematch for one of the nation's most hotly contested House seats, representing Ohio's 9th Congressional District, could be in the works for 2026.
Police in northeast Ohio arrest man who allegedly menaced GOP US Rep. Max Miller on interstate
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A northeast Ohio man was arrested Thursday on allegations that he threatened and spewed antisemitic epithets at Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller while the two were traveling on an interstate highway near Cleveland.
Ohio Supreme Court's Pat Fischer launches 2026 bid to oust court's lone Democrat, Jennifer Brunner
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Voters will again see two sitting Ohio Supreme Court justices pitted against each other in 2026, after Justice Pat Fischer announced a bid Wednesday to unseat Justice Jennifer Brunner with two years left on his current term.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.