“Could Not Be Reached,” “Would Not Comment,” “Did Not Respond:” Ohio Republicans In Hiding
August 14, 2026
COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio Republican candidates up and down the ballot don’t only have in common their support for deeply unpopular economic policies, they also have in common their commitment to dodging questions on the issues most important to Ohio families. Whether it’s facing scrutiny for past support of the data centers that are causing Ohioans’ energy bills to skyrocket, championing Republicans’ budget bill that ripped healthcare and food assistance from Ohio families, or voting repeatedly for Trump and Washington Republicans’ reckless war with Iran, Ohio Republicans seem to only have one answer to their predicament: no comment.
“Ohio Republicans’ agenda is raising prices for Ohio families and ripping away Ohioans’ healthcare – and it’s so unpopular that Republicans aren’t even trying to answer for it anymore,” said Ohio Democratic Party Communications Director Marisa Nahem. “While Ohio Republicans continue dodging questions left and right, the choice for Ohioans at the ballot box is already clear and they can’t avoid the message that Ohioans are going to send in November when they elect Ohio Democrats up and down the ballot.”
While Ohio Democrats are running to bring transparency and accountability to government, read more about how Ohio Republicans are seemingly in hiding, refusing to answer questions on their harmful economic agenda:
- Tiffin Ohio: Ohio secretary of state sets sights on state auditor’s office
In announcing his campaign for state auditor, LaRose said that he plans to bring the same “focus on transparency, efficiency, and accountability” he says he has as Secretary of State to the auditor’s office. The Ohio Capital Journal made multiple requests for an interview with the Republican former state senator and current secretary of state. Requests made both through his campaign website and directly to a campaign communications representative went unanswered. - WVXU: Analysis: House Bill 6 bribery case is driving this year’s Ohio AG race
Kulewicz said the millions of Ohio ratepayers who were harmed by picking up the tab for what he called an illegal scheme, deserve an answer in a court of law. The Republican candidate for Ohio AG is Keith Faber, currently the state auditor and a former state representative from Celina. Faber has a much different view of this. We couldn’t reach him for comment, but he has been quoted by numerous news organizations as saying that he would want to consult with the current staff of the AG’s office before deciding whether to move forward with the case. - Ohio Capital Journal: Challenger to incumbent Ohio Supreme Court justice touts ‘originalism,’ strict immigration rulings
The Capital Journal reached out to the O’Donnell campaign multiple times requesting a post-primary interview, but the campaign refused. A spokesperson for the O’Donnell campaign referred to comments made in a previous interview O’Donnell did with the Capital Journal prior to the May primary, but follow-up requests with specific questions did not receive a response. - Ohio Capital Journal: Ohio Republican attorney general candidate appears to advocate ending parts of Medicaid
In two recent media appearances, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber made statements that sounded supportive of ending at least some parts of Ohio Medicaid. Faber’s campaign did not clarify his comments when asked about them, only saying that Faber supports the lawful use of Medicaid dollars and doesn’t support the unlawful use of them. - Dayton Daily News: Dayton residents decry Medicaid, SNAP cuts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump last year, is estimated to cut $1 trillion over the next decade from the Medicaid program, and billions from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Turner was among Ohio’s federal lawmakers who voted in favor of the federal spending package. Turner’s Office did not immediately return a request for comment about the cuts. - WKYC: Dark Money Game documentary drops as FirstEnergy bribery scandal continues
Edwards would not comment on this conversation, and also would not answer my question as to whether he ever received any benefit from money in the Generation Now account. - Ohio Capital Journal: Ohio’s 9th Congressional district race: The candidates’ records on data centers
Merrin, who served four terms as an Ohio state representative for the Toledo district from 2016 to 2024, did not respond to the Ohio Capital Journal’s questions for this story. - WVXU: Analysis: Fact-checking Robert Sprague’s TV ad on ballot drop boxes
Sprague’s campaign did not respond to a request for an interview with the candidate. - Cleveland.com: GOP congressional candidate Carey Coleman files financial disclosure after missing deadline
Republican congressional candidate Carey Coleman filed a personal financial disclosure this week after cleveland.com reported he had missed the legal deadline to do so and the Summit County Democratic Party asked the Justice Department to investigate him for the lapse…Coleman’s campaign declined to comment on the filing.
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