Ohio Politics Explained

We discuss why Bernie Moreno is facing criticism for his abortion comments, the latest infighting in Ohio's teacher pension system, a key endorsement for the anti-Issue 1 campaign and why Larry Householder is still spending campaign money.

We discuss the candidates running for Ohio Supreme Court in November and which issues are dominating those races.

We discuss the latest news out of Springfield, threats against Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office, what happened with the Issue 1 lawsuit and the state of Ohio's youth prisons. 

We break down how Springfield found itself in the middle of a national immigration debate - and what is and is not happening in the community.

We discuss Sen. JD Vance's record on addiction recovery, the status of Larry Householder's appeal, an effort by Republicans to recruit poll watchers for Ohio and how lawmakers want to change the rules around name, image and likeness.

We discuss the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and who showed up from Ohio -- and didn't.

USA Today Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker speaks with politics reporter Erin Glynn on the latest episode of the Ohio Politics Explained podcast. During this edition we preview next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, how JD Vance and Tim Walz will face off in an official debate, and recap everything that happened in Ohio’s first week of recreational marijuana sales. Finally, we talk about how Ohio Secretary of state Frank LaRose announced election violation allegations, and how the Ohio Supreme Court will decide a frozen embryo case between a devoiced couple.

A decade ago, Ohio's former deputy state treasurer Amer Ahmad fled the country to avoid sentencing in federal court in a bribery and kickback scheme − traveling to San Diego, walking into Mexico and flying to Pakistan with a suitcase full of cash. Retired FBI agent Jeff Williams joined Ohio Politics Explained podcast to dust off the details on this nearly forgotten public corruption case. Williams served as team leader of a Columbus-based public corruption team that investigated the case.

Campaigns to rein in payday lending led to the downfall of two Democrats serving in the Ohio House: Carlton Weddington and Clayton Luckie. Retired FBI agent Jeff Williams joined the Ohio Politics Explained podcast recently to talk about how one case led to the next and what lessons can be learned.

We discuss the launch of recreational marijuana sales, how Sen. Sherrod Brown is snubbing his party, the latest in a fight for transgender health care for minors and why Ohio leaders are talking about redistricting in Iowa.