In this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss how Ohio Democrats can change course after yet another round of brutal losses. Democratic political strategist Antoinette Wilson joins the show.
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In this week's episode:
Between A Rock And A Hard Place
Gov. Mike DeWine issued more warnings about rising COVID-19 numbers on Wednesday. He said that Ohio is creating a Retail Compliance Unit within the Bureau of Workers Compensation to make sure businesses are enforcing the statewide mask mandate on both employees and customers.
DeWine also said open congregate areas at large ceremonies like weddings and funerals can no longer be open. He’s issuing an order requiring everyone in those settings to sit down with their masks on unless they’re actively consuming food or drinks.
If the trajectory does not improve, DeWine said closing restaurants, bars, and fitness centers is an option.
Wearing Blue In A Red State
Despite an Electoral College win for President-elect Joe Biden at the top of the ticket, the former vice president did not fare well here in Ohio. While polling showed Biden with a lead in the final days before the election, Trump won Ohio by eight points – the same margin he won the state by in 2016.
The state legislative results might be even more troubling news for Democrats. Even with a massive bribery scandal allegedly led by former House Speaker Larry Householder, Republicans expanded their majorities in both the House and Senate.
Democrats had some victories however, including Jennifer Brunner winning a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court. That could be especially important since the court will be determining the next congressional map, which has been heavily gerrymandered for the last decade.
Snollygoster Of The Week: Sen. Rob Portman
Many Republican politicians across the country are being very careful not to make an enemy of President Trump and his base by acknowledging Biden's victory, which Trump has refused to accept. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) recently tweeted out his support for Trump's right to launch legal challenges against election results – which have so far proven baseless.
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