COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s political pendulum swung left last year as voters in the one-time bellwether state overwhelmingly supported enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution and voted to legalize recreational marijuana.
Academics, politicos and Republicans caution not to read too much into 2023’s outcomes.
But the victories have been encouraging for Democrats, who are defending a pivotal U.S. Senate seat in a state that’s twice supported Donald Trump by wide margins.
Democratic Chair Elizabeth Walters says Republican politicians showed voters last year they “were not on their side.”
Ohio’s Republican chairman says he likes Republicans’ chances in 2024, but the party cannot be overconfident.
DeWine bypasses Trump-backed Bernie Moreno for Matt Dolan with endorsement
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has parted ways with Donald Trump to endorse state Sen. Matt Dolan over Trump-backed businessman Bernie Moreno in the three-way GOP primary for U.S. Senate.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is also running.
DeWine and wife Fran on Monday called Dolan the party’s best shot this fall to defeat incumbent Sherrod Brown, a vulnerable Democrat.
DeWine originally didn’t plan to make an endorsement, but that was before the March 19 primary edged ever closer with the race appearing to lack a runaway leader and with a large swath of Republican voters still undecided.