By Andrew Keiper
Kent State-Ohio News Connection

Four hopeful Democratic candidates for governor took part in the hour-long debate in Columbus on Sunday. The quartet answered questions submitted by Ohioans on issues like tax reform, jobs, healthcare and the opioid epidemic.

Among the candidates currently holding office in Ohio were Sen. Joe Schiavoni, of Boardman, and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. Former state representative and Air Force veteran Connie Pillich and former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton rounded out the four participants. The debate was moderated by Scott Light of WBNS-TV.

The first issue broached by the candidates was the use of data and analytics in combatting the opioid epidemic.

Whaley was the first to respond, and she said she’s pushed for better transparency and data from the state before pivoting to Dayton’s lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies.

Her response was pushed back on by Schiavoni, who highlighted legislation he introduced that would provide immediate rehabilitation and relief to the public.

“Suing the drug companies is all well and good, but it’ll take years and years,” Schiavoni said. “It’s about putting out a real plan that’ll help real people today.”

Sutton gave a unique response to the issue by promoting a jobs program as a solution to the epidemic. Pillich agreed with the other candidates, but also called for a hardline stance against drug dealers and increased funding to police and first responders.

When she was asked about Medicaid expansion, she said she would strengthen the program to improve access for rural Ohioans. She also supports a public option, which would allow citizens to choose the health care they want to buy into to, including insurance available to elected officials.

“If it’s good enough for the politicians, it’s good enough for the people,” Pillich said.

Schiavoni said he would fight for federal investment into Ohio’s healthcare and ensure the state acted as an example for the proper ways to use that funding. Whaley discussed how hospitals acted as job engines in rural communities and promised to use Medicaid expansion to further that growth.

The candidates also grappled with issues of access and affordability of birth control. Sutton said she would “lead the march” against efforts by Republicans to infringe upon women’s rights. Pillich talked about her experience as a patient of Planned Parenthood as a young mother and her support of the organization as a politician.

Whaley pledged that as governor she would ensure that the Department of Health would have a doctor as the head of the organization. Schiavoni touted his record in the Senate as a supporter of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio and similarly vowed to veto any attempts to step on reproductive rights.

The candidates were also probed about tax reform and abatements, which proved a tricky response given that Ohio is a home-rule state, which allows local municipalities to pass laws to govern themselves.

Whaley used her response to push back on the Kasich administration, which she said hasn’t been transparent in its Jobs Ohio initiative. Schiavoni, as he often did during the debate, called upon his jobs plan as a way to renovate and alleviate residential blight while building a business-friendly environment in Ohio.

Sutton and Pillich both attacked Republican-led tax loopholes and cuts to local government funding.

Also speaking at the event were U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. An Ohio Democratic Party official said about 1,100 were in attendance and tickets for the dinner and debate sold for $100. All of the proceeds went to the state party.

A debate has not yet been scheduled between the four current Republican candidates for Governor: Attorney General Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Jon Husted, Congressman Jim Renacci (D-16), and Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor.

This collaboration is produced in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded by the George Gund Foundation.


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By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said he supports efforts to redistrict Indiana's U.S. House seats, and he's seen what could be redrawn maps floating around, but has not seen any official maps.

He shared his thoughts on Friday in a one-on-one interview with I-Team 8.

"People want to scream about gerrymandering. Listen, every state does it. Democrats do it. Republicans do it. I think what Republicans have kind of fallen into the trap of doing for many years in the establishment way of thinking is if we just play nice, they'll play nice, if and when they're in power. We found out that that doesn't happen. So, listen, we've got the ball. We need to run the ball down the field, and we should do everything we can to make big wins for Republican principles, constitutional concepts and I believe ... the Republican Party embodies those principles better than the other party does. So, I'm fully in support of President Trump and his offensive-minded strategy here."

Beckwith told I-Team 8 he does not know exactly what happened on Thursday in a closed-door meeting at the Statehouse with Vice President JD Vance, Gov. Mike Braun and other top state lawmakers.

However, Beckwith said, he is aware of the taxpayer cost to calling a special session.

He says it's worth it.

"I think in the long run, if we can get the outcome that we're looking for, I think it will be certainly we're going to have to spend money. Yes, they are expensive. Nobody takes that lightly. That is certainly a conversation that needs to be had, and we need to look at that. But, I do think if we can take the 1st and 7th districts back, and really make Indiana a powerhouse red state, and then also give Washington a boost with a little bit more in the majority there. I think, economically, it will pay off in the long run, and I think we'll see our investment have big returns."/p<>


Kyla Russell wrote this article for WISH-TV.


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A public funding mechanism for Seattle elections is up for renewal in next week's election.

The Democracy Voucher program was passed 10 years ago. It offers voters four $25 vouchers to use each election cycle for candidates who accept certain fundraising and spending limits. Supporters said it is a model for more inclusive democracy, touting higher turnout, increased participation from more small donors and a more diverse candidate field.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the group People Powered Elections Seattle, which supports Proposition 1, said the program helps level the playing field.

"It's really important that people's voices are heard and that candidates can run being supported by their constituents," Olson contended. "Versus just listening to those wealthiest donors, those special interests that have historically been the loudest voices at the table and really dominated what priorities rise to the top."

The voucher is supported by a property tax. Olson and other supporters hope to bring the model statewide. Critics said the program is not big enough to make a difference in elections and has not curbed outside spending. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Olson pointed out the vouchers have succeeded in encouraging more diverse participation in local elections.

"The intention of the program was to bring a public financing program to Seattle elections to help empower more candidates -- more diverse candidates, women, renters, people of color -- to have equal access to be able to run, and run competitive elections without having to rely on wealthy donors, special interests," Olson emphasized.

Olson noted because the money comes from a dedicated tax levy, unused vouchers roll over to the next election.

"The goal isn't to create an unlimited pot of money but to be able to provide resources for candidates to run with the community's support," Olson stressed. "But it's not a blank check at the same time."


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Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The 18 items on the agenda include redrawing congressional maps. Redistricting usually occurs every 10 years, following the census, but Abbott added the item to the agenda after the Department of Justice drew attention to four Democratic seats.

Christina Sanders, founder of the nonprofit PoliChic Engagement Fund, said Texas maps are already caught up in litigation.

"Some of the court cases that are still even pending from the maps that have not been drawn fairly and the potential impact of new maps in the middle of a census cycle," Sanders explained.

The Biden administration sued Texas, alleging the state's legislative and congressional district maps discriminate against Latino and Black voters. The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the lawsuit earlier this year.

The seats targeted by the Justice Department are held by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas. They are also focused on the vacant seat previously held by late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Following the 2023 legislative session, Abbott called four special sessions to pass a school voucher bill, which failed.

Sanders feels Abbott is using special sessions to push personal agendas.

"A special session would be for something like the flood that just occurred," Sanders argued. "It would be something that there is an emergency -- something immediate needs to happen at this moment -- because this policy for the state cannot wait."

Flood warning systems and communication are also on the agenda, along with hemp and THC legislation and changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.