Ohio

GOP alarms go off after Ohio abortion vote

Published

1 year ago

August 10, 2023

GOP alarms go off after Ohio abortion vote

The huge voter turnout against a special ballot measure in Ohio that would have made it tougher to protect abortion rights is setting off alarm bells among Republican strategists who say abortion will be problem for their party in 2024.

Republicans hope to win back control of the Senate and keep their House majority but acknowledge abortion politics will “complicate” their chances of winning key races in even conservative-leaning states, such as Montana and Ohio, where Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) are up for reelection.

The potency of the abortion-rights debate in the wake of last year’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade was on full display in Tuesday’s special election in Ohio — a state former President Trump won handily in 2016 and 2020.

A Republican-backed measure to make it tougher to amend the state constitution to protect abortion was soundly defeated — 57 percent to 43 percent — after more than 3 million Ohioans voted, including 700,000 who voted early.

“It shows that abortion continues to be a very tricky subject for Republicans post Roe reversal,” said a Senate Republican strategist, citing the public backlash to the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which established the constitutional right to abortion.

“Independent college-educated women, even those who lean to the right, are breaking in a way that they never have on the abortion issue. Before the Roe reversal, independent right-leaning women were almost a lock for Republicans but now it’s not so clear,” the strategist added.

“The centrist and center-right women in the suburbs, they are breaking in a different way than they ever have in the past. This was a very tricky issue for Republicans in the 2022 midterm, and it’s obviously a very tricky issue for Republicans in an off-year awkwardly timed election like we saw in Ohio,” the source added.

Democratic strategists say the huge voter turnout in Tuesday’s election is an early sign that Democratic and independent voters will be highly energized by abortion in 2024.

“Abortion persists as a major mobilizing and motivating issue and persuasion issue. We saw record high turnout in Ohio, it was a little over 3 million,” said Celinda Lake, a prominent Democratic pollster.

“We saw mobilization of voters that hadn’t even voted in 2022. In the early vote alone, there were 30,000 voters who voted in [Tuesday’s] election that hadn’t voted in 2022 and they were largely women and African American women,” she said.

Lake said there was a “19-point shift” compared to the 2020 election, when Trump defeated Joe Biden, 53 percent to 45 percent, and the shift “was really across the board.”

“It provides a roadmap for victory in Ohio in 2024; it provides a roadmap for victory, I think, nationwide,” she said. “We made tremendous gains in the suburbs.

“There had been some questions about whether abortion is still salient and that was resoundingly answered on Tuesday,” Lake added.

In the battle for the Senate, Republicans enjoy a favorable map in 2024 that will see Democrats defending more vulnerable seats.

But if Democrats can mobilize their base over abortion rights and convince the electorate that it is a critical issue in the Senate races — as well as the presidential contest — it could help them judging from the results in Ohio.

Republican and Democratic strategists say abortion will be most problematic for Republican Senate and House candidates in Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which are also four presidential battleground states.

It’s also likely to move votes in Republican-leaning states where Democrats are up for reelection — notably Montana and Ohio.

The issue could also come up as a ballot initiative in Arizona, where activists are circulating a proposal to establish a fundamental right to abortion that the state may not deny.

All of those states are seen as Senate battlegrounds.

Montana voters defeated a measure in November that would have declared an embryo or fetus a legal person with right to medical care if born prematurely or it survived an attempted abortion.

West Virginia, another Senate battleground, is a special case because incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin (D) describes himself as an anti-abortion independent Democrat.

Ohio measure defeated in Trump country

The Republican ballot measure in Ohio was defeated by large margins even in counties that Trump won in the 2020 election, such as Mahoning and Trumbull counties in the state’s gritty industrial northwest.

The ballot measure failed more narrowly in Ashtabula County, which Trump carried with 60 percent of the vote in 2020. It also failed in Geauga and Lake counties outside Cleveland, which Trump won.

“Number one, it was about abortion. That’s the most immediate thing,” said Ohio-based Republican strategist Bob Clegg of Tuesday’s election results.

The measure, known as Issue 1, would have required amendments to the Ohio constitution to secure a 60 percent supermajority of state voters in order to be adopted. It would have also required proposed amendments to be signed by 5 percent of the electors in each county.

“I live here in Delaware County, a northern suburb of Columbus, and it even got defeated up here and other suburban counties,” Clegg said, referring to the suburban county outside the state capital that Trump won with 53 percent of the vote in 2020.

“They had good messaging on the other side about democracy and majority vote,” he noted, adding: “It was about abortion. Everybody knew that.”

“It was a matter of getting each side psyched up to vote and they just had more people on their side,” he said.

Other negative signs for GOP

The resounding defeat of the ballot measure, which became kind of a proxy battle in the war over abortion rights, comes a few months after Democrats won a key state Supreme Court race in Wisconsin, where the results were also driven by abortion politics.

In that race, Janet Protasiewicz, a liberal judge from Milwaukee County, defeated Daniel Kelly, a conservative and former state Supreme Court justice.

The abortion debate is especially hot in Ohio right now because Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in 2019 signed a law criminalizing abortion after six weeks, once a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

Voters will return to the polls in November to vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow patients to obtain abortions up until a fetus becomes viable outside the womb sometime between the 22nd and 24th week of pregnancy.

Clegg predicted that the abortion debate will continue well beyond this November’s election in Ohio.

“Whether the amendment passes in November or not, we’re not going to be done with it here in Ohio,” he said.

But Clegg questioned whether Brown, who usually focuses on progressive labor and economic opportunity-related issues, will want to focus on abortion.

“It’s going to depend a lot on the national environment. My guess is if Biden is doing well in the presidential race, he’ll probably use it.”

Michael Esler, a professor of politics and government at Ohio Wesleyan University, who specializes in American politics and public law, said voters who voted against the measure thought “the rules of the game were being tinkered with to get to the abortion outcome the Republican Party preferred.”

He said the abortion issue is “going to help” Brown’s reelection bid.

“The public opinion in Ohio and elsewhere has been pretty steady since the Dobbs decision came down. If the trend holds as I expect it to that would be an advantage for a pro-choice candidate like Sherrod Brown,” he said.

He said the abortion issue “is more significant for independent voters.”

“Independent women have been pretty strong in breaking against these bans on abortion, so I’d expect that to continue,” he said.

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Ohio

Ohio Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Midday winning numbers for Nov. 25, 2024

Published

4 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 25, 2024, results for each game:

Powerball

Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.

05-35-45-60-63, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 3-9-2

Evening: 2-5-7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 6-3-7-8

Evening: 3-0-9-9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 5-8-3-9-5

Evening: 5-9-5-8-5

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

12-13-18-37-39

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Classic Lotto

Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

16-17-30-35-41-48, Kicker: 8-8-3-1-7-8

Check Classic Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.

07-10-14-33-36, Lucky Ball: 01

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.

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Ohio (OHSAA) high school football playoff brackets, matchups, game times (11/13/2024)

Published

12 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Ohio (OHSAA) high school football playoff brackets, matchups, game times (11/13/2024)

The 2024 Ohio high school playoffs are on to the regional final as four teams remain in each division.

High School on SI has brackets for every division of Ohio high school football for you to keep track of all the playoff matchups.

>>Ohio high school football brackets

District brackets are below. All games are on November 29.

St. Edward vs. Olentangy Liberty

Archbishop Moeller vs. Centerville

Big Walnut vs. Anderson

Archbishop Hoban vs. Avon

Bishop Watterson vs. London

Ursuline vs. Central Catholic

Taft vs. Indian Valley

Perkins vs. Glenville

Liberty Center vs. South Range

Ironton vs. West Liberty-Salem

Kirtland vs. Northmor

Coldwater vs. Bluffton

Hillsdale vs. Danville

Marion Local vs. Coloumbus Grove

2024 OHIO FOOTBALL: FIND YOUR TEAM

Can’t make it to your favorite team’s game but still want to watch them live? You can watch dozens of Ohio high school football games live on the NFHS Network:

WATCH OHSAA GAMES LIVE ON NFHS NETWORK

To get live updates on your phone – as well as follow your favorite teams and top games – you can download the SBLive Sports app:

Download iPhone App | Download Android App

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Ohio State football should not feel bad about not taking a knee against Indiana | Oller

Published

20 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Ohio State football should not feel bad about not taking a knee against Indiana | Oller

Taking a knee to the privates typically hurts more than not taking a knee to the artificial turf, but in Indiana, Las Vegas and some parts of Buckeye Nation, “kneelgate” blew up loud and long over the weekend, causing pain, disdain and a “What’s the big deal?’’ refrain.

To refresh: Ohio State led Indiana 31-15 Saturday when Buckeyes tailback TreVeyon Henderson broke off a 39-yard run with 1:11 left in the game. If Henderson had scored, instead of intentionally sliding to a stop at the 1-yard line, the points margin would have ballooned to 23 points “organically,” the issue of what to do next would be moot and controversy would have been avoided.

Instead, after Henderson gave himself up so that OSU could take more time off the clock by running a few more plays, coach Ryan Day approved back-to-back quarterback sneaks instead of having Will Howard take a knee in a standard expression of sportsmanship.

Howard was stopped for no gain on first-and-goal, but scored on second down with 35 seconds left.

Uh-oh. A lot of Indiana fans took umbrage with Day’s decision – IU coach Curt Cignetti shrugged it off as OSU’s coach doing what he thought the team needed at the moment – while Ohio State fans were mixed, with a majority supporting Day’s decision. Those with no skin in the game either scratched their head when OSU scored, given their view on traditional run-out-the-clock protocols, or reasoned, “Isn’t the point of playing the game to score points?”

Then there are the gamblers, who I contend are the biggest source of the kerfuffle, like rabble rousers fanning flames of discontent among a simmering crowd. The over/under was 52.5 points, so bettors who wagered the teams would combine to score under that total were at first happy/thrilled/ecstatic when Henderson slid down short of the goal line, then equally disappointed/angry/outraged when OSU opted to run a QB sneak that bumped the points total to 53.

“Ryan Day cost me a lot of money,” a friend muttered Sunday into my mostly unsympathetic ear.

I promise you similar harrumphing could be heard across the country. And the harangues had nothing to do with sportsmanship and everything to do with selfish gain or “unfair” loss. Forgive me if I don’t play my sad trombone for these poor unfortunates.

Likewise, I’m not playing “What a shame” on my air violin for Indiana fans miffed by Day’s decision. I understand the frustration, but the overreaction is ridiculous. Put it this way: A lot of those crying foul over OSU scoring seven more points, as if some violent crime had been committed, saw nothing wrong with Cignetti saying Ohio State and Michigan “suck” when he addressed fans at an IU basketball game in December. I can hear it now: “Aw shucks, coach was just trying to pump up the crowd and build a more intimidating culture.”

My take? I found Cignetti’s “insult” more funny than offensive, but if you’re going to call out an opponent for sucking, you better prepare to have the putdown put down your throat when that opponent gets a chance.

After Saturday’s game, Day said he wanted to put an “exclamation point on the win.” Left unsaid: “Our honor defend, we will fight to the end … .” Day sent a message not to mess with the Buckeyes. Was it a case of faux toughness on display? Perhaps, but when your team has been labeled as soft for four years, you tend to take it personally. Given a chance to do something about it, you act.

I value sportsmanship, and push come to shove would have preferred Howard take a knee, but I won’t get bent out of shape about it. For one thing, the Associated Press and College Football Playoff ranking systems factor scoring margin into their thinking. For another, this was a game between two top-five teams, not OSU vs. Olentangy Liberty. The quality of the opponent doesn’t completely release a coach from pouring on points, but it does factor into the circumstances.

Indiana wants to be taken seriously as a national contender? Great, then stop whining. Or stop Ohio State at the goal line.

Jameis Winston brings joy and fun to football

After 40 years of writing about sports, it is easier to become jaded by the coaches and athletes who play the games, which is why I am delighted by Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.

Winston’s enthusiasm for football and excitement about his faith, mixed with a dynamic personality, makes him my newest favorite athlete.

The 30-year-old man-child is part preacher, part circus clown (not in a creepy way) and part cheerleader. He also is good enough to start, although admittedly that is a fairly low bar, considering who he plays for.

Winston has had his share of issues, both at Florida State, where in 2013 he won the Heisman Trophy, and at New Orleans, where last season he sabotaged his coach’s instructions during a game. But his joie de vivre is so intoxicating that it’s hard not to root for him.

Winston mic’d up during games is a must-listen, and his pregame and postgame interviews are as heartfelt as they are hilarious.

What resonates most about him, though, is his gratitude for being able to play a game that millions of fans would love to suit up and try. Winston’s attitude is refreshing, especially when compared to Deshaun Watson, whose dour disposition as a Browns quarterback leaves a lot to be desired.

Winston is not having a spectacular season filling in for the injured Watson – 62.2 completion percentage, 1,266 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions – but given a choice I’ll take him over Watson. Any guy willing to make snow angels on the field, like Winston did after Thursday’s 24-19 win against Pittsburgh, is OK by me.

Listening in

“I think 120 is a beautiful number, I think it’s very competitive. I think a cut is an integral part of our sport and I think it would be really cool to play Signature Events at 120 players over the 72. With eight tournaments, that’s 400 more playing opportunities.” – PGA Tour player Maverick McNealy after winning the RSM Classic Sunday, commenting on the recent decision by the tour to reduce field sizes.

Off-topic

I try to live by this travel rule: Don’t spend more time driving than hours awake at the travel destination. But sometimes it comes close. Like Thanksgiving week. My 15-hour drive to and from North Carolina, with stops, is only about two hours shorter than the time I’ll spend at the family farm near Chapel Hill. But seeing in-laws and my adult children – coming in from Oakland, Chicago and Brooklyn, New York – is well worth it.

roller@dispatch.com

@rollerCD