Discussing the outcome of the Ohio May primary vote

By Leigh Barr

Published May 4, 2022 at 5:18 PM EDT

A spool of "I voted" stickers with an American flag. [Barbara Kalbfleisch/Shutterstock]

The November general election political contests came into sharper view yesterday as voters cast their ballots statewide in the primary. Voters made their choices by party for statewide contests including: governor, secretary of state and attorney general. They also made their selections in the contentious race to succeed United States Senator Rob Portman who is retiring. That race featured seven Republican candidates and three Democrats. Among the Republicans former President Trump endorsed JD Vance. The choice came as a surprise to some since Vance has been critical of Trump in the past. The former president was not on the ballot but his endorsed candidates were—like Vance and Max Miller in the 7th Congressional district. Political pundits say the primary served as a test of Trump's power in the Republican party and his influence over voters.

The Ohio primary will go down as the most expensive in history to date. And it's not done yet.

Voters will have to go back to the polls again to finish selecting their candidates. The races for Ohio House and Senate were not on the ballot because the redistricting debacle continues. Lawmakers face a deadline this week to complete and approve another set of state legislative district maps.

There were more local races on the ballot as well, including a number of school levy and bond issues. Here in Cuyahoga County the main race was for Cuyahoga County executive as Armond Budish is not running for re-election.

Thomas Sutton, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Baldwin Wallace University

Matt Cox, Founder & President, Capitol Partners

Ifeolu Claytor, Treasurer, Northeast Ohio Young Black Democrats

Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV