Rotunda Rumblings
Brown has fallen:On Monday, Democrat Sherrod Brown formally declared his intention to run against Republican incumbent Jon Husted for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2026.More on Brown’s reasons for running for the Senate after losing to Republican Bernie Moreno the previous year, as well as what experts believe he must do this time to win, may be found at Jeremy Pelzer. Who gets to serve the remaining two years of (now-Vice President) JD Vance’s Senate term will be decided by next year’s Senate race; Brown declined to indicate whether he would compete for a full six-year term in 2028 if he wins in 2026.
On Guard: Gov. Mike DeWine stated on Monday that he always gives in to demands from other leaders, so he approved the Trump administration’s request to send 150 Ohio National Guard military police to Washington, D.C., for enforcement responsibilities.The governor stated that sending the troops is consistent with other deployments in recent years and that he will not question President Donald Trump’s desire to militarize the D.C. police force, as Pelzer reported. According to DeWine, the Ohio guardsmen would act as a backup, protecting federal buildings and performing routine patrol duties; arrests will be handled by D.C. police.
Homecoming: According to Sabrina Eaton, U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno made a direct message to Colombian leaders during his congressional visit last week: clean up the drug trade, cut ties with China, and make America your top strategic ally.Along with Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego, who is of Colombian descent, the Westlake Republican, who was born in Bogota, immigrated to the United States as a child, and obtained U.S. citizenship, made a rare bipartisan trip to Colombia at what both senators called a critical juncture in U.S.-Colombia relations.
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Fischer faces GOP resistance in historic Ohio Supreme Court seat switch
Supreme Court battle: In an attempt to remove the court’s final Democrat and prolong his own term, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat Fischer is mounting an extraordinary attempt to exchange seats in the November elections. The GOP, however, might not support him. Rep. Brian Stewart and other Republicans are publicly opposing the endorsement of Judge Ron Lewis, who was suggested by a party screening committee.According to Anna Staver, the central committee will determine whether Fischer’s gambit is successful in September.
Sending it by mail: Claiming that mail-in ballots are vulnerable to fraud, even though statistics indicate that voter fraud is uncommon, President Donald Trump announced Monday that he intends to write an executive order ending mail-in voting, according to Eaton. The office is eager to examine the specifics of Trump’s proposal, according to a spokesman for Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. LaRose spokesperson Ben Kindel stated, “We’re always willing to discuss opportunities for improvement.”
Cruising ahead: According to Laura Hancock, Cleveland State University has joined Ohio State University, Ohio University, the University of Cincinnati, and other universities in allowing students to use buses and trains. Cleveland State University had previously discontinued the student transit program but has now restored passes for full-time students. CSU will now charge $57.50 per semester for the U-Pass and ask students to opt in.
Gathering the band again: According to Sarah Donaldson of Ohio Public Radio, the left-leaning Equal Districts Coalition, whose members include religious leaders, proponents of abortion rights, and environmentalists, announced that they are re-enlisting for the congressional districts that the GOP-majority legislature is anticipated to draw soon. Since the current maps did not receive the Democratic support required by the state Constitution, the state must create new ones.
Glass half full: Although the sector is going through growth pains, experts think that slow and steady may win the race in the end, according to Mary Frances McGowan, one year after Ohio legalized the sale of cannabis for adult use. Higher prices and fewer product selections have been attributed to Ohio’s stringent policies in comparison to nearby rivals like Michigan. However, several scholars claimed that the state’s strategy has advantages.
Moving on: Following the termination of several programs that permitted Haitians to live and work in Ohio by President Donald Trump, dozens of them in Springfield are considering their alternatives. It is anticipated that their interim status would end in February. According to Miriam Jordan of The New York Times, some have departed for Canada, while others are thinking about going to South America, Haiti, or staying in the United States illegally.
Regarding defense: After the U.S. Department of State ceased issuing child visas, Kent-based Heal Palestine, which arranges medical treatment for seriously injured Palestinian children in the United States, is defending itself. Laura Loomer, a self-described enthusiastic Islamophobe, claimed to have discussed alleged Islamic invasion with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following treatment, the patients and their families go back to their homes, according to Heal Palestine. According to the Manchester Guardian, Loomer also attempted to associate the founder of Heal Palestine with Hamas by claiming that he attempted to restore a hospital in Gaza that the Israeli force had demolished.
Great outdoors: On Monday night, local elected officials and dignitaries visited a completed riverbank stabilization project in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund of 2020 provided funding for the initiative, which covered long-overdue upkeep and repairs in national parks. The project, which started in 2023, has allowed visitors to Ohio’s only national park to enjoy the whole length of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
Full Disclosure
State Senator Steve Huffman’s financial declaration on May 13 taught us five things.
1. The state has granted him a medical practice license.
2. He made at least $100,000 as a doctor last year, on top of his $80,548 parliamentary pay.
3. He or a member of his immediate family operates under Indian Lake Cottage Rental LLC and Genesis Drilling Program VI.
4. He had a condo in Columbus, a house in Dayton, and a condo in Grandview, which is close to Columbus, in 2024.
5. He claimed to have received contributions from the state’s Republican Senate Campaign Committee, the University of Toledo, and the National Federation of Independent Business.
On the Move
Former Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has endorsed State Representative Josh Williams, a Republican from the Toledo area who is seeking Ohio’s 9th Congressional District in the next election.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has endorsed Democrat Sherrod Brown’s fledgling U.S. Senate campaign.
The Asian American Coalition of Ohio presented the Champion of the People Award to state representative Juanita O. Brent, a Democrat from Cleveland. Her continued dedication to promoting equality and justice for all Ohioans is demonstrated by this honor.
Birthdays
Ex-state Senator Sean O. Brien
Millie Vaughan, a consultant for Democratic campaigns and fundraising
Straight from the Source
This really annoys me! Instead of focusing on public safety, DeWine is deploying the Ohio Guard to D.C. for a fabricated crisis for political purposes.
-Democratic state representative Tristian Rader of Lakewood, on X, criticized the governor’s troop deployment to Washington.
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