WOSU’s Mike Thompson and the Columbus on the Record panel look the results of this week’s primary election which saw big victories for former President Trump and his chosen candidates. We’ll also discuss the general election U.S. Senate race between Bernie Morano and Sherrod Brown, Infighting among Ohio House Republicans continue, Democrats hope to take control of Ohio Supreme Court and a historic Franklin County prosecutor race.

Trump Endorsement Clears Ohio U.S. Senate Field

Most thought the Ohio Republican U.S. Senate race was going to be close. It wasn’t, yt probably was decided the moment former President Trump endorsed Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate.

The Cleveland businessman and political outsider romped to victory in the republican primary for U.S. Senate. Moreno captured 51% of the vote.

That was17% more than Ohio State Senator Matt Dolan who was close in pre-election polls. Frank LaRose, who at one time led the race, finished a distant third.

Sherrod Brown’s Toughest Fight

Moreno was the candidate Democrats wanted to face incumbent U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

Allies of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Shumer spent $2 million on pre-primary ads to boost Moreno. That probably did not matter, but Brown seems ready to make his case.

Ohio House Speaker Stephens Loses Some Supporters

The division within the Ohio House Republicans was on display in Tuesday’s primary. Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens had a slate of candidates he supported, his Republican rivals had their own slate.

As it turns out four state reps who supported Stephens for speaker lost their primaries.

While it may squeeze his margin, it looks like Stephens still has the support he would need to hold on to the speaker’s gavel.

Democrats Look To Take Control Of Ohio Supreme Court

It has gotten little attention but nearly half of the Ohio Supreme Court is on the ballot this fall.

Lisa Forbes won her primary this week and the Democrat will face Dan Hawkins. Incumbent Michael Donnelly faces Republican challenger Meghan Shanahan and Democrat Melody Stewart takes on Republican Joe Deters who was appointed to the court this yearwhen Sharon Kennedy moved up to the chief justice’s seat.

Historic Franklin County Prosecutor Race

All signs point to a historic election for Franklin County Prosecutor.

Barring an upset the county will elect its first woman prosecutor and first Black prosector.

Columbus City Council member shayla favor won a three-way democratic primary and will face Republican John Rutan.

This Week’s Panelists
- Julie Carr Smyth, reporter for The Associated Press
- Darrel Rowland, reporter for ABC 6/Fox 28
- Derrick Clay, Democratic strategist
- Terry Casey, Republican strategist

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Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:18 – Trump Endorsement Clears Ohio U.S. Senate Field
07:13 – Sherrod Brown’s Toughest Fight
13:22 – Ohio House Speaker Stephens Loses Some Supporters
16:24 – Democrats Look To Take Control Of Ohio Supreme Court
20:31 – Historic Franklin County Prosecutor Race
24:35 – Off The Record comments