The NFIB staff in Ohio would like to say thank you for your membership with NFIB and your support of NFIB’s endorsed candidates in the 2022 election. With your help, we have strengthened your voice in Ohio’s legislature and the US Congress. At NFIB, we are confident small businesses will continue to thrive across America, and at home here in Ohio.
NFIB monitors races in Ohio year-round to follow their likely impact on Ohio’s small business community, and to determine where the best opportunities are for us to make a difference. The scope of our research ranges from individual candidates to the larger state political environment.
Due to limited resources, we cannot be involved in every race; instead, we focus our efforts on select statewide races, statehouse districts, and ballot initiatives that impact the business community. Key races, as determined by NFIB, are the political campaigns whose outcomes hold the largest stake for Ohio small-business owners.
All candidates endorsed by the NFIB Ohio PAC have filled out a candidate questionnaire on their positions on issues important to the small business community. They also have a solid voting record with NFIB and screen before the Ohio PAC committee that is comprised of NFIB members from across Ohio.
With an impressive 93.5% success rate for our endorsed candidates, we are optimistic about the upcoming state legislative cycle and that the small business voice will be heard in the state capital. There are now 30 fellow NFIB members serving in the Ohio Legislature.
Highlights of the 2022 election include:
The NFIB Ohio PAC endorsed five statewide races:
- Mike DeWine & Jon Husted for Ohio Governor & Lt. Governor
- Dave Yost for Ohio Attorney General
- Sharon Kennedy for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
- Pat Fischer for Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
- Pat DeWine for Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
The NFIB Ohio PAC endorsed in 10 of the 16 races for the Ohio Senate. Four of the 10 candidates endorsed are dues-paying members of NFIB, including current Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman. In addition to direct contributions, the NFIB Ohio PAC ran four digital ads and sent mail pieces to members in support of top-tier candidates.
All 99 seats in the Ohio House of Representatives, the NFIB Ohio PAC made endorsements in 62 of those races. Sixteen of the 62 endorsements were NFIB members. In addition to direct contributions, the NFIB Ohio PAC ran eight digital ads and sent mail pieces to members in support of top-tier candidates.
Digital ads for statehouse races had over 11.5 million impressions.
Additionally, the NFIB Federal PAC endorsed in 12 races for The US House of Representatives and one US Senate race, winning 11 of 13 races, an 84.6% win rate.
“Ohio small business owners were energized and came out in large numbers in yesterday’s election. They want to see Ohio’s economic resurgence continue for years to come. With half of the state’s private-sector workforce employed by small businesses, it was critical for candidates who understand the unique challenges entrepreneurs face to be elected this year,” said NFIB Ohio Executive Director Roger Geiger.
“All five statewide candidates endorsed by the NFIB Ohio PAC were successful in their election bids. Ohio will continue to have a stable legal environment for small business with Sharon Kennedy elected as Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, and both Justices Pat Fischer and Pat DeWine re-elected to the court. Additionally, both Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost will continue their hard work to make Ohio a place where entrepreneurs can start and grow their businesses,” Geiger continued.
“The more than 20,000 members of NFIB in Ohio were excited to see 23 fellow NFIB members and small-business owners elected or re-elected to the Ohio Legislature for the 135th Ohio General Assembly. They will join 7 NFIB members in the Ohio Senate who were not up for re-election this cycle for a total of 30. As job creators, these candidates understand the economic realities facing Ohio entrepreneurs and the need to continue the good public policy that will bring Ohio even greater economic prosperity. Overall, an impressive 93% of candidates endorsed by the NFIB Ohio PAC were successful in their election bids, demonstrating the political power of Ohio’s small business community,” Geiger concluded.
