OHDems

COLUMBUS, OH – Despite Ohioans voting to protect access to reproductive health care in 2023, Ohio Republicans are continuing to go against the will of voters by working to further restrict access to abortion. With Republicans escalating their attacks on reproductive care, “The Ohio Supreme Court will play a critical role in determining the future of abortion access in Ohio,” as reported by The Columbus Dispatch.

“Republicans are showing with every bill that they introduce to restrict abortion access, monitor women’s pregnancies, and create more barriers for care, how critical it is for Ohioans to re-elect Justice Jennifer Brunner and elect Judge Marilyn Zayas to The Ohio Supreme Court to stand against these attacks and uphold the law,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde. “Instead of working to lower the sky-high costs that are hurting parents and families throughout our state, Republicans are attempting to restrict access to reproductive care – even though Ohioans have made it clear that they don’t want politicians in their deeply personal health decisions. It’s wrong – and Ohioans will make them pay for it at the ballot box in November.”

Read more from The Columbus Dispatch on Republican attempts to restrict access to reproductive care – and the critical role that The Ohio Supreme Court will play in protecting abortion access in Ohio.

The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio voted for abortion access. GOP lawmakers still push for limits
By Jessie Balmert, 4/12/26

Ohioans voted to protect abortion access in 2023. Now, Republicans are pitching multiple ways to test the limits of that constitutional amendment.

More than two years after their victory, abortion rights advocates are fighting an onslaught of proposed legislation to restrict access to medication abortion, delay abortion procedures and track pregnancies.

“It’s clear that they have not accepted the will of the voters,” said Kellie Copeland, executive director of Abortion Forward, which advocated for the amendment, which passed with 57% of the vote. “They are doing everything they can to engage in a multi-prong attack on the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment.”

[…]

Meanwhile, abortion rights advocates have scored multiple victories in court, where local, Democratic judges have ruled in favor of abortion access. They’ve struck down a ban on most abortions, a 24-hour waiting period before pregnant patients can receive an abortion and a requirement that fetal remains be buried or cremated.

It’s only a matter of time before these cases end up before the Ohio Supreme Court, where Republicans hold a 6-1 majority. Those who oppose abortion are eager for that day and hope the justices will impose limits on the 2023 amendment approved by voters.

But Lauren Blauvelt, executive director at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, wants the justices to follow what she says is an unambiguous mandate from voters. “I don’t believe Ohioans want their justices to act like activist judges, but to follow the clear language that they voted on,” she said.

Ohio Republicans pitch multiple bills to limit abortions

The abortion rights amendment hasn’t stopped Republican lawmakers from introducing and passing bills on abortion. Copeland’s organization is tracking 11 bills in this legislative session alone, and she said they loosely fall into two categories.

“One is this very anti-abortion, misinformation, propaganda, kind of shame and stigma that they’re pushing,” Copeland said. “The other is different ways to challenge the reproductive freedom amendment itself.”

Republican lawmakers have passed bills to restrict telehealth cosultations and require pregnant patients to wait 24 hours after receiving state-approved warnings to have an abortion. A GOP lawmaker recently introduced a bill that would require fetal birth and death certificates − language that could create a statewide registry of pregnancies. Another bill would require students to watch a fetal development video similar to “Baby Olivia,” which was created by abortion opponents.

[…]

A date with the Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court will play a critical role in determining the future of abortion access in Ohio. The seven-member court will ultimately decide what the 2023 amendment means and what it doesn’t.

That’s why Republicans and Democrats are so focused on the 2026 Ohio Supreme Court races. Republicans are trying to pick off Democrats’ only remaining statewide elected official, Justice Jennifer Brunner. Meanwhile, Democrats want to unseat Republican Justice Dan Hawkins.

[…]

Beyond the Ohio Supreme Court, Blauvelt said the next governor and attorney general will also play important roles in the future of abortion access. One sets the agenda for the state, and the other determines how and when to defend abortion restrictions.

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COLUMBUS, OH – In alarming interviews with Morgan Trau of WEWS, Republican candidates for Secretary of State trumpeted false claims of widespread voter fraud and refused to admit the results of the 2020 presidential election – a deeply troubling sign from individuals running to be Ohio’s chief elections officer. When pushed on his disinformation about Ohio’s mail-in voting – which is a critical way for many Ohioans, including seniors, military servicemembers, and students to cast their ballot – current Republican Treasurer, Robert Sprague, couldn’t name a single case of mail-in fraud in Ohio.

“Ohio’s elections are safe and secure with no evidence of widespread voter fraud – don’t just take our word for it, take Republicans’ word for it, like Gov. Mike DeWine and current Secretary of State Frank LaRose, whose office emphasized previously: ‘Ohio has a long history of running secure elections, and that includes decades of voting by mail,’” said Ohio Democratic Party Communications Director Marisa Nahem. “Republican candidates for Secretary of State are making it crystal clear that they can’t be trusted with ensuring that Ohio continues its long legacy of safe and secure elections – a point Ohioans are seeing clearly with every disproven conspiracy that the Republican candidates double down on.”

Check out some highlights – well, really low-lights – from WEWS’ interviews with Republican candidates for Secretary of State:

Trau: “Do you think that mail-in voting is fraudulent?”

Both the Democrats supported mail-in voting, while the Republicans said it should only be in specific cases, which led to this interaction with the treasurer.

Although voter fraud is exceedingly rare, it does happen — but does it happen enough to be memorable?

Sprague: “You’re always a little bit suspicious because you don’t know if the person on the other end of that mail-in ballot is the elector.”

Trau: “Please cite some cases of mail-in fraud in Ohio.”

Sprague: “Well, we know that this happens every year.”

Trau: “Where? When?”

Sprague: “I can’t give you — If you give me time, I can get back to you.”

The Democrats said there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud, which is confirmed by the current republican secretary of State.

Additionally, both Republican candidates running for Secretary of State – the top state elections official tasked with administering elections in Ohio – refused to admit the results of the 2020 presidential election.

​​Trau: “Who won the 2020 election?”

Both Democrats said former President Joe Biden. Neither Republicans would answer.

Read more from WEWS HERE.
 

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – As Ohioans begin heading to the polls – and the state begins sending out mail-in ballots – for the May 5 primary election, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde issued the following statement encouraging Ohioans to make their voice heard in this election:

“The stakes couldn’t be higher in this election for Ohioans’ pocketbooks, freedoms, and futures. At a time when dangerous attacks on the right to vote attempt to silence the will of the people and allow Republicans in power to escape accountability, it’s more important than ever that Ohioans get out to vote – a right that The Ohio Democratic Party will fight to protect. While Ohio Republicans in every corner of our state and in Washington are championing an agenda that is raising costs, ripping away healthcare, and defunding our public schools, Ohio Democrats are focused on the commonsense solutions to the issues that matter most to Ohioans, like tackling the sky-high costs that keep families across our state up at night – and that contrast will be crystal clear on Election Day.”

Ohioans looking to learn more about how to cast their ballot in the May 5 primary election, should visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections.

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COLUMBUS, OHIO –  One year ago today, Donald Trump declared April 2nd, “Liberation Day” and raised tariffs on nearly every country to at least 10%, unleashing a reckless trade war – and Ohio is feeling the devastating impacts. Trump claimed the tariffs would usher in “a golden age,” but instead, Ohio has paid $6.5 billion in tariffs – making it one of the states footing the highest bill for tariffs. Additionally, working families across Ohio have paid $659 more for basic essentials due to Trump’s inflation. 

“One year ago, Donald Trump declared ‘Liberation Day’ and the reality is crystal clear: Ohioans across the state are seeing higher prices because of Donald Trump’s tariffs,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde. “These tariffs are devastating for Ohio families and small businesses alike, and they only add to the bill that Ohioans are having to pay because of Washington Republicans’ failed economic policies. Ohio Democrats will continue to fight back against these tariffs, which raise costs and cause chaos and uncertainty in communities across our state.”

While Trump and Ohio Republicans continue to raise costs with policies like tariffs, and rip healthcare away from Ohio families and risk rural hospitals to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and corporate special interests, Ohio Democrats will continue to fight to lower costs for Ohioans.

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – Today, the Ohio Democratic Party announced that it has brought on Cade Leebron to spearhead an expansive operation as Executive Director ahead of historic elections in Ohio, Marisa Nahem to lead communications efforts as Communications Director, and Jeremy Blake to lead the political department as Political Director.

“At a critical time in our state and country, the Ohio Democratic Party is excited to welcome Cade, Marisa, and Jeremy to the team as we build an organization that is ready to support a diverse array of candidates up and down the ballot,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde. “Cade, Marisa, and Jeremy’s experience in key battleground states and in leadership roles in red, blue, and purple communities across the state and throughout the country will be critical as we support Ohio Democrats and work to elect leaders who will protect Ohioans’ freedoms, keep our communities safe, and lower the sky-high costs that hardworking families face, including the cost of housing, healthcare, groceries, and energy.”

“I have seen firsthand the ways in which President Trump and Ohio Republicans are hurting young people across our state with their dangerous and out-of-touch agenda that puts billionaires and corporate special interests first while Ohioans foot the bill, and am determined to help lead a robust Ohio Democratic Party that will support Ohio Democrats as they fight to lower costs and protect our communities,” said Cade Leebron. “When Democrats show up, organize, and fight for a better future, we can win anywhere, and I look forward to Ohioans sending that message loud and clear in November.”

“It’s a privilege to come home to Ohio and work to elect Democrats up and down the ballot who will lower costs for hardworking Ohioans and ensure that our communities are able to grow and thrive,” said Marisa Nahem. “I look forward to joining an Ohio Democratic Party team that is ready to fire on all cylinders as we meet Ohioans of all political stripes in every corner of our state where they are, and work to elect leaders that will fight for Ohio families and stand up against Republicans’ actions that are raising costs and hurting our communities.”

“Ohioans want leaders who will put them first and who will work every day to create a brighter future in our state. Ohioans are not only ready to make that clear on election day, they’re also showing it right now, getting involved in their communities, volunteering, and even running for office themselves,” said Jeremy Blake. “With so much at stake in this election, I’m thrilled to join the Ohio Democratic Party’s team as we work to support Democratic leaders up and down the ballot who will protect Ohioans’ freedoms and ensure that our communities are places where everyone can be successful.”

Leebron – a graduate of The Ohio State University – has been involved in campaigns in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, including most recently managing U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan’s successful frontline reelection in New York’s 18th Congressional District, expanding his win margin from 1.3% in 2022 to 14.3% in 2024. She comes to the Ohio Democratic Party from the Leaders on the Fast Track (LOFT) Fellowship in Washington, D.C., and previously worked on Kathleen Clyde’s 2018 Secretary of State campaign.

Nahem – an Ohio native and graduate of The Ohio State University – has worked on campaigns at every level across the country, including in Pennsylvania, Iowa, and New Hampshire, and was the New Hampshire Communications Director for the Harris-Walz campaign. She comes to the Ohio Democratic Party after serving most recently as the Deputy Communications Director for a U.S. Senator from New England.

Blake – an Ohio native and graduate of Denison University – brings to the Ohio Democratic Party his extensive experience throughout Ohio in nonprofits, government, and political campaigns. He was a legislative staff member at the Ohio Statehouse, provided leadership as an elected school board president, and was later elected to serve two terms on a city council. He also was the Inaugural Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party Pride Caucus, and currently serves on the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission. Blake is deeply involved in the community as a member of various organizations such as the Harmony Project community chorus.

Press inquiries pertaining to the Ohio Democratic Party can be directed to [email protected]. 

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