The political landscape in Ohio is undergoing a significant transformation as the state’s largest police union, the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), has endorsed an all-Republican statewide candidate slate. This marks a notable departure from previous years, reflecting evolving perceptions within the law enforcement community.
The FOP’s endorsement includes governor candidate Vivek Ramaswamy U.S. Sen. Jon Husted and other Republican candidates for Ohio Supreme Court seats. This decision follows a thorough process involving questionnaires, interviews, and one-on-one interactions with FOP members.
The Shift in Police Union Endorsements
The FOP’s president, Jay McDonald explained that the endorsement reflects the union’s belief that Republican candidates demonstrate stronger support for law enforcement compared to the current Democratic Party. McDonald emphasized that this perception is directed towards national Democrats rather than specific Ohio Democratic candidates.
This shift is part of a broader trend where police unions have increasingly aligned with Republican candidates in recent years. However, Ohio has been an exception, with the state FOP endorsing seven out of eight statewide Democrats in 2018 and only one in 2026. The FOP had previously endorsed Sherrod Brown a former U.S. senator running for his old job this November, but remained neutral in the 2026 race that Brown lost to Bernie Moreno.
The endorsement of Republican Keith Faber over Democrat John Kulewicz for Ohio Auditor marks the first time the union has backed a Republican candidate for attorney general in 20 years. This decision is significant given that a substantial number of AG employees are FOP members. Despite past tensions between rank-and-file members and recent Republican AGs, McDonald highlighted Faber’s support for police unions during his time as state senate president, particularly in their fight for workers’ compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Democratic Candidates Secure Key Endorsements
In contrast, Democratic governor candidate Amy Acton has secured endorsements from Reproductive Freedom for All formerly known as NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Ohio Iron Workers Association. These endorsements underscore the diverse support base that Acton is building as she campaigns for the governorship.
Environmental and Surveillance Developments
The Ohio EPA has retreated from a plan to allow data centers to receive generalized discharge permits, opting instead for case-specific applications. This decision came after a review of extensive public comments, including input from prominent figures on both the right and left, such as Ohio U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton.
Meanwhile, state agencies have deepened their involvement with Flock Safety a company known for its AI-powered, license plate-reading cameras. Agencies overseeing workers’ compensation, fire investigations, prisons, and the attorney general’s office have all started paying tens of thousands to Flock each year for its surveillance technology. Details on the placement and use of these cameras remain thin, but cities have faced scrutiny over federal immigration officials’ access to the data.
Campaign Finance Dynamics
The governor’s race in Ohio is marked by a significant financial disparity. Vivek Ramaswamy is massively outspending his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. The pro-Ramaswamy political action committee, V PAC: Victors not Victims has spent approximately $14.5 million on ads, with $8.8 million between April and June. This spending is in addition to the $17.9 million reported by Ramaswamy’s official campaign committee.
Despite the massive spending imbalance, polling shows a tight race between Acton and Ramaswamy. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report along with other similar outlets, has rated Ohio’s governor race as a toss-up, indicating a highly competitive election season.
