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Snollygoster
New episodes every Thursday
Hosted by Mike Thompson

Snollygoster takes an in-depth look at politics in Ohio. Each week we dig into the top political stories in Columbus and Ohio and explore national stories that impact the state by talking with politicians, reporters and other news-makers. (In case you're wondering, a "snollygoster" is a shrewd and unprincipled politician.)

Listen to Snollygoster on the WOSU Public Media mobile app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Latest Episodes
  • President Donald Trump appears on stage with former candidate Vivek Ramaswamy at a campaign event in Atkinson, N.H., Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.
    Ramaswamy kicks off his campaign with Trump's endorsement
    Vivek Ramaswamy officially launched his run for governor this week with several rallies. The wealthy entrepreneur, who burst on the scene in 2023 with his run for president, now wants to succeed Mike DeWine. Political strategist Terry Casey joins the show.
  • The 2026 race for Ohio governor takes shape
    It's week two of the Jim Tressel era at the Ohio Statehouse and he has not set up a campaign website... yet. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy has filed preliminary paperwork to run for governor. He'll face Attorney General Dave Yost, who announced his candidacy last month.
  • FILE-This Sept. 25, 2010, file photo shows Ohio State's coach Jim Tressel on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Eastern Michigan, in Columbus, Ohio.
    DeWine's unexpected play: Ex-Buckeye Coach Tressel to serve as Lt. Governor
    Mike DeWine did keep his Lt. Governor pick a secret until he and Jim Tressel walked before cameras on Monday morning. To the surprise of everyone, he announced the former OSU football coach and former Youngstown State University president was his nominee to be his right-hand office holder. Reporter David Skolnick of the Youngstown Vindicator joins the show.
  • In this Feb. 7, 2017, file photo released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, foreign nationals are arrested during a targeted enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aimed at immigration fugitives, re-entrants and at-large criminal aliens in Los Angeles.
    Ohio's response to President Trump’s immigration round up
    Our roundtable discussion covers President Trump’s immigration round-up, the move to end capital punishment in Ohio, and a proposal to change Ohio’s fairly new voter-approved law legalizing recreational marijuana.
  • Former President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Trump Tower, Friday, May 31, 2024, in New York. A day after a New York jury found Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony charges, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee addressed the conviction and likely attempt to cast his campaign in a new light.
    Trump reverses federal funding freeze after icy reception
    Advocacy groups believe Trump's rescinded federal funding freeze would have disrupted the Ohio budget process and jeopardized critical programs. Hannah Halbert, director of Policy Matters Ohio, joins the show.
  • Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, left, raises his hand while taking the ceremonial oath of office, with Vice President JD Vance, right, officiating, and his wife Tina Husted, center, standing beside him in a vibrant purple outfit. The ceremony takes place at the Capitol surrounded by ornate red drapes and marble columns.
    Husted heads to the US Senate
    After months of speculation, Gov Mike DeWine announced that Jon Husted was his pick to be the next U.S. Senator from Ohio. Of course, Husted is replacing short-timer J.D. Vance, who job-hopped into the Vice Presidency.
  • US Capitol in Washington DC
    Senate appointment turns into political drama
    This DeWine appointment to the U.S. Senate has become a bit of a soap opera. Joining us to try to help us understand this is long-time Republican strategist Terry Casey.
  • Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, right, speaks beside Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine during a news conference.
    DeWine's decision to fill Vance's vacancy looms
    Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton ended speculation and announced this week that she will indeed run for governor next year as a Democrat. Meanwhile, Gov. DeWine still has a big decision to make on who will fill JD Vance's seat in the U.S. Senate.
  • The political rollercoaster that was 2024
    In the 248 years of America's existence, there have been tumultuous years and 2024 is going to be right up there. Joining the show to relive the memories is long-time Statehouse reporter Darrel Rowland.
  • Ohio Statehouse Legislative Chamber
    Lame duck legislators work overtime before the end of the year
    The legislative session between Election Day and the end of the legislative term is always a busy one. Maybe lawmakers are just like the rest of us and they procrastinate. Former State Representative Gene Krebs joins the show.
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