Ohio Voters Elect New Senator, Reject Issue 1 in 2024 General Election

As Ohio small businesses reported historic low optimism and high uncertainty about the future, many issues were on the ballot for small business owners this election cycle. Numerous pro-small business candidates came out as winners Tuesday night – most notably, 93% of NFIB’s Ohio PAC-endorsed candidates won their election for the state legislature!

“Small businesses continue to face economic uncertainty, and it’s clear their concerns were felt at the ballot box on Tuesday,” said NFIB Ohio State Director Chris Ferruso. “We are pleased that so many pro-small business candidates won, and we are confident that they will work to ease the inflationary and regulatory pressures small businesses throughout the state are facing.”

Federal Races
Ohio elected a new U.S. Senator: NFIB FedPAC-endorsed Bernie Moreno beat incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown and will represent Ohio in Washington, D.C.

Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to appoint someone to replace Sen. JD Vance after he resigns to become vice president.

State Legislature
NFIB Ohio-PAC endorsed 86 candidates for the Ohio State Legislature and 80 candidates won their election – a 93% win rate!

Democrats made slight gains in the Ohio House and Senate, but Republicans maintain control of both chambers. In the 136th General Assembly, 29 legislators are NFIB members.

Issue 1
In line with NFIB small business members, voters struck down Issue 1 which aimed to change the way legislative maps are drawn.

Ohio Supreme Court
Judge Megan Shanahan, Judge Dan Hawkin, and Justice Joe Deters all won their election for the Ohio Supreme Court.