The Executive Offices: Ohio’s six statewide executive offices (Governor & Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Auditor, and Treasurer) were not on the ballot this year; however, in 2026 those offices will be on the ballot as term limits require all six existing officeholders to move on.
The White House: As expected, the Buckeye State voted for former President Donald Trump over Vice-President Kamala Harris, but the margin of victory surprised some poll watchers. (55.2%-43.9%.) This marks the third general election in a row where Ohio has gone for Trump, with his percentage of victory increasing in each successive round. With Vice-Presidential candidate JD Vance, a sitting US senator in Ohio, ascending to the second highest office in the land, this creates a gubernatorial appointment opportunity for Gov. Mike DeWine. More on that below…
The Statewide Ballot Issue: The Redistricting reform ballot measure that was known as Issue 1 failed 53.8% - 46.2% despite the “Yes” side outspending opponents by tens of millions of dollars from out of state interest groups. The issue would have established an “independent panel” appointed by retired judges to “take politicians out of the redistricting process,” as described by proponents, and replaced the reform that Ohioans overwhelmingly approved in 2015 & 2018 for drawing state legislative and Congressional districts. This was largely viewed as a Democratic-leaning measure to reduce Republican advantages in the state legislature and in Congress. Each side decried the other’s methods as gerrymandering. Ohio is scheduled to redraw its Congressional lines in 2025, so the current process outlined in the Ohio Constitution will continue to be utilized requiring the General Assembly (or the Ohio Redistricting Commission) to adopt new congressional districts. The Statehouse lines for state representatives and state senators will remain in place throughout the remainder of the decade.
The Ohio General Assembly:
Democrats picked up two seats in the Ohio Senate creating a 24 Republican – 9 Democrat split in next year’s 136th General Assembly. The Ohio Senate District 16 (central Ohio) seat left open by Republican Sen. Stephanie Kunze who ran for the Ohio House went to Democrat Beth Liston, and the Ohio Senate District 6 (Dayton area) seat left open by Republican Sen. Niraj Antani who ran for Congress went to Democrat Willis Blackshear. {Sen. Rob McColley is reportedly the frontrunner to be the next Senate President, taking over the reins for term-limited Senate President Matt Huffman, who is returning to the Ohio House.} Six Ohio Senate seats went to candidates who had not held them before this election.
Democrats netted two seats in the Ohio House creating a 65 Republican – 34 Democrat split next year. The Ohio House District 10 (central Ohio) seat left open by Republican Rep. Dave Dobos who chose not to run for re-election went to Democrat Mark Sigrist. The Ohio House District 42 (northwest Ohio) seat left open by Republican Rep. Derrick Merrin who ran for Congress went to Rep. Elgin Rogers. Twenty-seven (27) Ohio House seats went to candidates who had not held them before this election.
No incumbent legislator lost his/her seat. Many Republican seats and a few Democratic seats were seen as “winnable,” but the spate of incumbent losses this year came from those who were defeated in the primary election, chose to run unsuccessfully for seats in the other chamber, or who opted to run unsuccessfully for Congress leaving their Statehouse seat open.
The leadership vote to select next year’s speaker is set for November 20th at 5pm. However, this date is set by the dean of the Ohio House (Rep. Jim Hoops), so it is subject to change. Current Speaker Jason Stephens is facing a challenge from Senate President Matt Huffman as he moves over to the Ohio House. Other majority caucus members are rumored to be considering runs, too. {The official vote for speaker will not occur until new members are seated in early January, and a vote is taken on the floor of the House by all House members.}
State Supreme Court: Republicans swept the three State Supreme Court seats up this year, creating a 6-1 Republican majority next year. Jennifer Brunner will be the last Democratic member. Justice Brunner will, in fact, be the last statewide Democratic elected official.
Congress:
The Ohio delegation in the US House remains the same as it was the past two years – 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats – though it is likely the Marcy Kaptur seat (9th District) is heading to a recount. State Rep. Derrick Merrin ran a close campaign in an attempt to unseat the incumbent Kaptur, who is now the longest serving woman in the history of the US House, having served since 1983.
Ohio’s US Senate seats will now both be held by Republicans: Republican businessman Bernie Moreno defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. Gov. DeWine will have to appoint a replacement for Vice-President-elect JD Vance. Names being suggested: Congressman Mike Carey, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, State Senator Matt Dolan and former Ohio GOP chair Jane Timken. Dozens of others have approached the Governor asking for consideration.
If you would like to further discuss Ohio's 2024 Election, please reach out to Brian Perera or any of our ZHF Consulting professionals.
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