A quick rundown of the Ohio November elections
The November elections, widely regarded as a referendum on President Donald Trump, are heating up in Ohio.
Former president Barack Obama will campaign in Cleveland next Thursday for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, while Trump will be making a stop in Ohio for Republican Senate contender Jim Renacci.
Ohio Republicans currently hold the majority in both the House and the Senate, and they have power in the governor’s mansion.
Here’s a rundown of what’s on the ballot in Ohio in November.
Gubernatorial race a toss up
Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray are facing off in the governor’s race, vying for the seat left by term-limited Gov. John Kasich.
Recent polling from NBC/Marist put the two candidates within mere points of each other, and the Cook Political Report rated the race as a toss-up.
Health care is a large issue in the race. DeWine remained mum on whether he would support Medicaid expansion before ultimately saying he would, but with added work requirements.
Neither candidate has referenced higher education or student debt on their campaign websites. They both speak toward lessening the opioid epidemic. Cordray has called for less overprescription of painkillers, and DeWine said he wants to create at least 60 more specialized drug courts.
Cordray chose Betty Sutton, a Kent State alumna, to run as his lieutenant governor. DeWine tapped Jon Husted, the current secretary of state.
Kent state representative looks to win secretary of state race
Kathleen Clyde, the representative of Ohio’s 75th House district, which represents the city of Kent, is running for Husted’s seat.
Clyde has emphasized creating safe elections in her campaigns, citing the 2016 race for compromised elections. She has also opposed Ohio’s voter purges, which were held up by the Supreme Court in June.
Clyde is running against Republican Sen. Frank LaRose, who created Ohio’s online voter registration system that he said identifies “non-citizens” on the voter rolls and removes them.
The empty seat that will be left by Clyde is between Democrat Randi Clites and Republican Jim Lutz, a Kent State alumnus.
Sherrod Brown holds comfortable lead in Senate race
Incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown is running against Renacci, who has earned the endorsement of Trump. The former congressman supports repealing Obamacare — whereas Brown backs expanding it — and said he would work with the president to construct a wall along the border.
The two candidates have tentatively agreed to debate in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati before the midterms, although the dates and times have not yet been set.
In the recent poll from NBC/Marist, Brown led by 13 points against Renacci.
Come Nov. 6, voters will determine who will be the leaders of Ohio and who will be in the governor’s mansion.
Laina Yost is the enterprise editor. You can contact her at [email protected].