Ohio’s secretary of state jumped into the U.S. Senate race this week. Our attorney general said he wanted access to out-of-state abortion records, and House Republicans introduced a plan to restrict drag shows in public places.
We break down what it all means on this week’s episode of Ohio Politics Explained. A USA TODAY Ohio Bureau Network podcast designed to share the state’s political news in 15 minutes or less.
This week, anchor Anna Staver was joined by reporter Haley BeMiller.
1) LaRose is running for the United States Senate
After months of speculation and not-so-subtle tweets, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has filed for the U.S. Senate.
LaRose announced Monday morning that he is seeking the Republican nomination this spring to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in 2024.
“I’m a father, but I’m also a fighter. I’m someone who knows how to get things done,” LaRose said in an interview. “I’m a warrior but a joyful warrior. I’m not someone who is angry about my approach to conservatism.”
Larose is the third Republican to enter the race. State Sen. Matt Dolan and Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno have already announced.
2) Legislators go after drag in public places
A group of 43 House Republicans has signed a new bill that would restrict drag acts in public spaces.
House Bill 245 would expand the definition of adult cabaret performers from topless strippers and dancers to include “entertainers who display a gender identity other than the performer or entertainer assigned at birth.”
Republicans say it’s about keeping kids away from shows that should be for adults only, but LGBTQ groups believe the state’s current obscenity laws protect against inappropriate shows and this bill perpetuates stereotypes about gay people.
3) AG Yost rejects Biden’s plan to protect health records
Ohio’s attorney general is rolling back a Biden Administration plan to protect the medical records of people who cross state lines for abortions through federal health privacy laws.
Dave Yost and 17 other Republican attorneys general wrote a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services arguing that adding abortion procedures to HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Liability Act) could interfere in the processes of sexual assaults.
“The federal government is trying to get rid of a provision that allows the release of health information to law enforcement pursuant to a court order,” Yost spokeswoman Bethany McCorkle said. “This section is designed to help victims of crime by allowing law enforcement to collect evidence, for example DNA from a rape kit, so that violent criminals can be arrested.”
The Biden Administration says the new rule will strengthen patient and provider confidentiality and be used to prevent prosecution of individuals and health care providers who assist or perform “lawful reproductive health care.”
4) Poll: Most Ohioans oppose Issue 1
A majority of Ohioans do not agree that it is more difficult to amend the state constitution, according to a poll released this week by Suffolk University and the USA TODAY Network’s Ohio Bureau.
57% of those polled between July 9 and 12 said they opposed raising the threshold for changes approved by citizens from a simple majority of 50% plus one vote to 60%.
Support for Issue 1 was 26% and 17% were undecided. Early voting for the August 8 special election is now underway.
Listen to “Ohio Politics Explained” on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts and TuneIn Radio. The episode is also available by clicking the link in this article.
USA TODAY Network’s Ohio bureau serves The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 affiliated news organizations throughout Ohio.
