Ohio Politics Explained: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan is running for speaker – The Columbus Dispatch
Who controls public education in Ohio was up in the air this week. Turnover has been high at the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan announced he was running to be speaker.
We break down what it all means in this week’s episode of Ohio Politics Explained. A podcast from the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau to catch you up on the state’s political news in 15 minutes or less.
This week, Anna Staver was joined by OPE’s new host, Haley BeMiller.
Jordan for speaker
U.S. Rep Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, announced this week that he wants to replace Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“We are at a critical crossroad in our nation’s history,” Jordan wrote in a letter to House Republicans on Wednesday that asked for their support.
Jordan is known nationally as an ally of former President Donald Trump and the conservative firebrand leading the investigation into Hunter Biden. He’s also one of the founders of the House Freedom Caucus and has represented Ohio’s 4th Congressional District since 2007.
Who’s in charge of education in Ohio?
Ohio is in the middle of a legal fight over who should be in charge of public education policy in the state.
Republicans pushed through an item in the state budget this summer that took control over things like state standards, model curricula and statewide tests away from the State Board of Education and gave those responsibilities to a new director whom Gov. Mike DeWine would appoint.
Seven members of the state board sued, saying the power grab was unconstitutional. And a judge temporarily blocked the law from going into effect.
The problem with that temporary restraining order, according to the governor, was that it didn’t capture the entire education overhaul.
To avoid confusion, DeWine told reporters the new agency would be created, but he wouldn’t appoint its director or remove the board’s powers. The plaintiffs said this sounded like a violation of the order.
Who had an abortion in 2022?
The overall number of abortions performed in Ohio dropped in 2022, according to a new report from the Ohio Department of Health. But the number of people coming from other states for the procedure increased.
The data also delved into a number of different demographics like the age of patients, their races and how far along they were in their pregnancies.
Turnover at Secretary of State’s office
Ohio’s Secretary of State’s Office has been plagued by high turnover and low morale, according to written exit interviews obtained by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau.
“How many more dedicated and talented staff members will it take walking out the door before management takes a serious look at the source of the problem and finally creates a solution?” wrote former deputy elections administrator Luke Scott in an exit interview.
LaRose, who is running for U.S. Senate in 2024, didn’t comment but a spokesperson said the timing of these complaints seemed suspect.
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.
The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau serves The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
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