What is the status of the MAGA movement in Ohio? And what does it mean for the 2026 Election?

According to Newsweek, a record high percentage of Republicans from across the country now identify as part of President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, with about two thirds defining themselves this way. Recent polling suggests that things may be a little different among Ohio Republicans. The Democracy and Public Policy Network in the Department of Political Science at Bowling Green State University conducted its seventh web-based poll from April 7-14, 2026, with insight from 1,000 registered Ohio voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points. The weighted sample reflects a +11 recalled vote margin for President Trump in the 2024 presidential race. To measure the strength of the MAGA movement, we asked those who intended to vote in the state’s May 5 Republican primary if they consider themselves part of the MAGA movement. Overall, 55% of those who said they planned to vote in the Ohio Republican primary identified as part of the MAGA movement. What could explain the difference between Ohio Republicans and the national figure? First, the question was asked a little differently in each survey, with the national survey asking, “Are you a MAGA supporter,” while ours asked, “Do you consider yourself to be part of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement?” The slight difference in the wording seems unlikely to account for the difference, however. Also, the difference is unlikely because of Democrats planning to vote in the Ohio Republican primary. Only two of the respondents who planned to vote in the Republican primary identified as Democrats. The more likely culprit is that only just over half of those who said they planned to vote in the Republican primary have a very favorable opinion of Donald Trump, and nearly 20% believe the country is going in the wrong direction. About half of Ohio Republican primary voters strongly approved of the Job Trump is doing as president. Which Ohio Republicans are more likely to identify as part of the MAGA movement? Men (58%) were a little more likely than women (53%) to identify as part of the MAGA movement, as were those without a four-year degree (62%) compared to those with one (44%). Older voters were more likely than younger voters as well. Fully 65% of those aged 65 or older considered themselves part of the MAGA movement, whereas just under half of both 18-29 year olds and 30-49 year olds did. More than 70% of those who consider themselves very conservative considered themselves part of the MAGA movement. Republican union members were only a little less likely (52%) than non-union members (56%) to identify as MAGA. Fully 62% of those who consider themselves Born Again identified as part of the MAGA movement, whereas only 50% of those who are not Born Again did, and 61% of those who say religion is very important in their lives considered themselves part of MAGA, while only 41% of those for whom it is not important at all did. Those who live in small towns or rural areas were substantially more likely than those who live in suburbs to consider themselves part of the MAGA movement. What does all this mean? With only just over half of Ohio Republicans saying they identify as MAGA, that may reduce Donald Trump’s ability to influence the elections in November. Not only will Trump’s name not be on the ballot to provide coattails for Republicans, the shine of the MAGA brand may be coming off a little bit in the Buckeye State. Certainly the MAGA movement remains popular with those voters traditionally associated with it: older, rural, conservative men without four year degrees who consider themselves Born Again. But those voters are unlikely to be sufficient to carry the day in statewide elections in Ohio in 2026. On the other hand Democrats should certainly not be counting their chickens. The high percentage of Republican union members who consider themselves part of MAGA is a sign for Democrats that organized labor’s opposition to President Trump and his policies has not reached many of their Republican members. Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton are going to need those voters to prevail in November. Finally, all of this points to the possibility of Ohio once again becoming a battleground state, but for that to happen Democrats will need to prove it at the ballot box. This story is republished from the Ohio Capital Journal under a Creative Commons license. View the original article.

What is the status of the MAGA movement in Ohio? And what does it mean for the 2026 Election?

Ohio voters face major decisions in the 2026 Election about the future of our state

Is everything amazing in Ohio? Is that your experience? Do Ohio politicians have an outstanding record of winning big for Ohio residents? Do you feel like they are looking out for you? Have they turned Ohio into a destination among our 50 states? Making life affordable for Ohio families? Providing top-notch education? Access to health care? Access to opportunity? A thriving climate for both entrepreneurs and workers? The best roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure? Public safety, quality of life? Is Ohio a beacon of democracy for voters? Are voters respected? Are our elected officials accountable, mindful, and responsive to the needs and wishes of everyday Ohioans, and not beholden to narrow special interests or corporate influence? Perhaps you think yes. Perhaps you think no. You’re in luck either way. This year, you will get to decide, Ohio voter. You get to decide whether the Buckeye State is “on the right track” or “heading in the wrong direction,” as the pollsters love to put it. Every single statewide executive office is up for open election: Ohio governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, and treasurer. We also have two Ohio Supreme Court races to decide, and another U.S. Senate election for the third congressional cycle in a row. Ohio Republicans are trying to hold onto the control over all three branches of state government they’ve had since 2011. Ohio Democrats are trying to win their first statewide executive branch offices since 2006. It’s been eight years since we last had open races for these executive offices. Each of the current incumbents won reelection in 2022, but all are term-limited out of seeking reelection again, though three are attempting to shuffle from their current position into a different statewide executive office. So what are the big highlights in Ohio over the last seven years? I’ll just get out of the way and share some significant headlines from the Ohio Capital Journal and other news outlets throughout Ohio, and you can decide for yourselves what you make of it, as you consider what you think ought to happen next. The Headlines 2019 A Bill Banning Most Abortions Becomes Law In Ohio Nuclear bailout bill passes Ohio legislature, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine Ohio nuclear bailout foes take initial steps toward statewide referendum Pro-bailout figure tries to keep HB 6 off ballot Yost rejects summary of HB6 petition Proposed anti-House Bill 6 referendum clears initial hurdle Fliers Push Anti-Chinese Government Message To Save Nuclear Bailout House Bill 6 referendum signatures not filed, leaving its fate to judge Judge rejects appeal for more time to gather HB 6 referendum signatures Judge blocks Ohio abortion law, allowing clinics to remain open Dayton shooting: Nine confirmed killed, gunman also dead Gov. DeWine Proposes Red Flag Law, Expanded Background Checks After Dayton Shooting DeWine scales back gun proposals 2020 Nuclear Bailout Opponents End Referendum Attempt DeWine issues state order prohibiting general spectators from Arnold Sports Festival How Ohio has responded to COVID-19: The first cases Ohio House speaker, four others arrested amid massive dark-money, pay-to-play allegations FirstEnergy Fires CEO Chuck Jones After Internal Investigation As coronavirus continues to hit Ohio, public health officials take the heat The grim calculus behind Ohio’s economic reopening Ohio House Republican unloads COVID-19 conspiracy theories to Senate committee Hundreds of millions in budget cuts to hit all areas of education Ohio’s K-12 public schools got cuts. Private, charter schools got cash. Two men tied to Householder corruption probe plead guilty FBI raids home of PUCO chairman, possibly connected to House Bill 6 investigation 2020 in Ohio: COVID-19 Killed Almost 9,000 Ohioans And Left Millions Unemployed 2021 Ohio House votes to ax nuclear subsidies in partial repeal of House Bill 6 Generation Now, the nonprofit that prosecutors say received millions in bribes, pleads guilty to racketeering charge involving House Bill 6 FirstEnergy said it bribed a regulator for $4.3 million. Here’s how it worked. Ohio governor won’t say he regrets picking regulator now at the center of historic utility scandal FirstEnergy admits it controlled dark money group started by DeWine aide DeWine aide’s organization was link to now-guilty dark money group DeWine refuses to explain aide’s role in bailout scandal Ohio House expels former Republican speaker in historic vote Columbus lobbyist accused in HB 6 scandal died by suicide, autopsy confirms Anti-mask, anti-vax Ohioans support bill targeting health dept. authority Ohio politicians condemned for pandemic comparisons to Nazi Germany DeWine vetoes bill targeting his pandemic authority; override awaits Ohio legislature overrides DeWine veto of pandemic authority bill Ohio ballots will list party affiliations for top judicial candidates Dayton mayor unhappy as Gov. Mike DeWine signs ‘stand your ground’ legislation into law How an Ohio representative’s business could profit off the ‘stand your ground’ bill he co-sponsors Ohio lawmakers reintroduce medically unproven ‘abortion reversal’ bill 2022 Former DeWine aide warned governor about utility regulator before the FBI raided his home FirstEnergy text messages say Lt. Gov. Husted pushed for more money for nuclear plants Ohio’s response to Uvalde? Armed teachers and $117 million Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs bill allowing teachers, staff to carry guns in schools Ohio lawmaker who wrote bill requiring gun training for teachers owns gun training business Gun lobbyist wrote GOP lawmakers’ ‘permitless carry’ speech, document data shows DeWine signs law removing training, background check, permitting requirement to conceal carry ‘Our voices are not heard’ — Ohio’s largest police union slams new GOP gun bills U.S. Supreme Court overturns right to abortion in landmark decision Ohio abortion bans on the way following death of Roe 10-year-old rape victim forced to travel from Ohio to Indiana for abortion Arrest confirms Indiana abortion for Ohio 10-year-old. Republicans questioned her existence After raising doubts about rape victim, AG’s office won’t say if he supports abortion law DeWine: No comment on abortion ban that forced a child to Indiana Affidavits: More pregnant minors who were raped denied Ohio abortions Despite reports of harm, DeWine refuses comment on abortion ban law Lawmakers move to weaken Ohio Board of Education, give power to governor School district coalition files lawsuit challenging Ohio’s private school voucher program Bipartisan Ohio Supreme Court majority rejects partisan Statehouse redistricting maps for fifth time Republicans ignore redistricting order from Ohio Supreme Court, signaling they intend to run out the clock Group of GOP voters sue to force Ohio legislative map fix Federal court implements Statehouse maps declared unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court Republicans take victory lap after federal redistricting ruling, prospects unclear for future redistricting progress Discussions underway to propose new redistricting reform to Ohio voters Ohio activists plan abortion rights ballot initiative Ohio Republicans launch effort to make citizen-led amendments harder to pass for voters LaRose wants to make it harder for voters to amend constitution but evidence of a problem is lacking Ohio legislature passes bill opening all state land to fracking, labeling natural gas ‘green energy’ 2023 With stroke of his pen, Gov. Mike DeWine defines natural gas as green energy Ohio pulls out of voter registration database targeted by conservative election skeptics Ohio Republicans quietly enact ‘alarming’ new voting restrictions: Law puts Ohio among states with strictest voter ID rules and will make it harder for elderly people, the disabled and the poor to vote A behind-the-scenes look at how Ohio enacted the most restrictive voter photo ID law in America Ohio board of education loses most of its powers in state budget Former chair of Ohio utility regulator surrenders in $60 million bribery scheme linked to energy bill Swanky D.C. dinners between FirstEnergy execs and Householder led to corrupt scheme, prosecutors say Former GOP Ohio speaker, lobbyist guilty in $60 million bribery scheme Former Ohio House Speaker Householder sentenced to 20 years for state’s largest bribery scheme Former GOP Chair Borges chair sentenced to five years in massive corruption case Final Ohio education budget expands vouchers, limits board of ed powers Ohio approves fracking under state park and wildlife areas at contentious meeting Ohio lawmakers send 60% supermajority amendment to the ballot Bipartisan former Ohio governors against raising constitutional threshold to 60% and August vote Ohio Sec. of State LaRose admits making constitution harder to amend is ‘100% about… abortion’ Issue 1 falls: Ohio voters reject raising voter approval threshold to amend constitution Split ballot board approves reproductive rights amendment summary written by Ohio Sec. of State Secretary of State Frank LaRose says abortion opponents helped craft ballot language to aid defeat of Issue 1 Ohio Republicans accused of trying to mislead voters with abortion ballot wording Ohio voters pass Issue 1 constitutional amendment to protect abortion and reproductive rights Ohioans vote to legalize recreational marijuana by passing Issue 2 law 2024 FirstEnergy gave $1 million to boost Ohio Lt Gov Husted’s campaign before scandal, document shows Ohio Lt. Gov. Husted won’t say if he knew about $1M dark-money contribution FirstEnergy gave $2.5M to GOP governors’ dark money group backing DeWine’s 2018 bid Ex-First Energy executives, Ohio utility regulator charged by state in bailout and bribery scandal Indicted former Ohio utility chair reported dead by suicide Former Ohio Speaker Larry Householder seeks pardon from Trump for bribery conviction HB 6 scandal: Shell company pleads guilty, agrees to forfeit over $2.1 million How state legislation led to the banning of big wind and solar projects in a fourth of Ohio’s counties “Who’s gonna want to move here?” How fracking around Ohio’s Salt Fork State Park is changing area Ohio spent nearly a billion dollars on private school voucher scholarships in 2024 DeWine wants to fight gun violence, but GOP lawmakers don’t want gun regulations Ohio Ballot Board approves controversial language to describe anti-gerrymandering amendment Anti-gerrymandering groups warn that Ohio’s ballot language is misleading voters As Some Ohioans Make Confused Votes on Issue 1, Critics Say That’s By Republican Design Ohio voters reject Issue 1, leaving politicians in control over map-making process Ohioans Reject Redistricting Reform, Protecting GOP Gerrymanders 2025 Ohio Republican leader says strategy to confuse voters helped defeat redistricting amendment Ohio Republicans weigh how ruthless to be in redistricting Opponents speak out for more than three hours against making changes to Ohio’s marijuana law Ohio budget cuts income taxes to historic lows; almost all savings go to those making more than $138,000 Ohio House Republicans pass higher education overhaul to ban diversity efforts and faculty strikes Ohio Gov. DeWine signs higher ed bill regulating classroom discussion and banning diversity efforts High school students reconsidering applying to Ohio universities due to new higher education law As SB 1 impacts ripple across Ohio college campuses, students, faculty say ‘the chill is real’ DEI offices shuttered, degrees cut, discussions tiptoed: What Senate Bill 1 changed in higher ed Ohio’s largest community colleges cut programs under Senate Bill 1 Ohio spent more than a billion dollars on private school vouchers in fiscal year 2025 New funding for public schools the smallest increase in decade — Look up your district. As federal cuts finalized, state lawmakers in Ohio also gave cuts to public broadcasting Ohio’s new state budget brings an estimated $25M cut to public libraries, prompting concern over services Ohio’s Medicaid expansion group survives federal budget, but cuts still coming At an Ohio food bank, fears that Republican cuts will overwhelm an overstretched program Two former FirstEnergy execs indicted on federal racketeering charges Federal appeals court upholds conviction of Householder in public corruption case Attorneys for Householder, Borges ‘hopeful’ following pardon for Cincinnati politician Ohio finally ends subsidies for two scandal-linked coal plants Ohio adopts new congressional map with 12-3 GOP advantage Ohio Republican lawmakers look to regulate abortion, push against constitutional amendment Republican-approved Ohio House budget erases commission that handles campaign finance cases Why it Matters: The end of the Ohio Elections Commission Ohio bill to ban intoxicating hemp products and make changes to marijuana law goes to Gov. DeWine Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs intoxicating hemp ban, new marijuana regulations into law Ohio Gov. DeWine signs property tax bills, ‘reluctantly’ approves new voting restrictions Ohio Gov. DeWine signs bill ending mail-in ballot grace period for voters This story is republished from the Ohio Capital Journal. View the original article.

Ohio voters face major decisions in the 2026 Election about the future of our state