MASK PLEAS, BUT NO MASK MANDATE ♪♪ JOINING US ON "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" THIS WEEK, ANNA STAVER, STATEHOUSE REPORTER FOR USA TODAY GANNETT OHIO BUREAU, MIKE GONIDAKIS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST, AND SAM GRESHAM OF COMMON CAUSE OHIO.

WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

I'M ANDY CHOW SITTING IN FOR MIKE THOMPSON THIS WEEK.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE VARIOUS MAPS OF COVID SPREAD, YOU SEE A DISTURBING TREND.

OHIO'S GETTING REDDER AND REDDER.

THE 21-DAY AVERAGE IS 6,349 NEW CASES PER DAY, AND 3,500 PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL CURRENTLY WITH COVID-19.

COVID IS SPREADING AMONG CHILDREN.

THE STATE HAS SEEN SHARP INCREASES IN CASES AND COVID HOSPITALIZATION AMONG KIDS.

DESPITE THE GRIM STATS, GOVERNOR MIKE DeWINE DECLINED TO ISSUE A MASK MANDATE FOR SCHOOL KIDS.

>> IF I COULD PUT ON A STATEWIDE MANDATE, IF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT COULD DO IT, WE WOULD DO IT.

WHAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS MADE VERY CLEAR IS IF WE PUT ON A STATEWIDE MANDATORY, THEY WILL TAKE IT OFF.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

THERE'S NO 30-DAY WAITING PERIOD.

THEY CAN DO IT RIGHT AWAY.

AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS MADE VERY CLEAR THAT IF WE PUT ON A MANDATE IF YOU ARE KIDS IN SCHOOL TO WEAR MASKS, THAT THEY WILL TAKE IT OFF.

AND PEOPLE SAY, WELL, MIKE, WHY DON'T YOU DO THAT?

IT COULD BE ON FOR A COUPLE DAYS OR WHATEVER, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS IF THAT HAPPENS, WE WOULD CAUSE, SEEMS TO ME, A LOT OF CONFUSION AND WE MIGHT GO BACKWARDS.

>> WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

DOES THE GOVERNOR HAVE THE ABILITY TO ISSUE A MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS?

>> YEAH, HE DOES HAVE THE ABILITY TO ISSUE IT, BUT IT'S ALSO RIGHT THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE ABILITY TO TAKE IT OFF AS QUICKLY AS THEY COULD GET THEMSELVES TOGETHER FOR A VOTE.

SO SB 22 IS A BILL THAT CREATED THE LAW AND IT GIVES THE LEGISLATURE THE AUTHORITY TO REPEAL ANY OF HIS ORDERS IMMEDIATELY.

ONLY STATES OF EMERGENCY ORDERS HAVE TO WAIT 30 DAYS.

SO NOW, THE ARGUMENT FROM DEMOCRATS IS, WELL, YOU COULD TAKE IT TO COURT.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR VETOED THIS LAW, HE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT IT WAS CONSTITUTIONAL, AND THEY THINK IT'S WORTH TAKING IT TO COURT, POSSIBLY GETTING MAYBE THE JUDGE WOULD LET THE MASK MANDATE STAY WHILE IT WAS BEING LITIGATED.

SO THEY SAY, LOOK, YOU COULD GET 30, 60, 90 DAYS OF A MANDATE WHILE IT GETS WORKED OUT BY THE COURT.

>> DO YOU THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE COURT.

>> THE GOVERNOR SHOULDN'T HESITATE TO TAKE IT TO COURT.

THE SAD PART ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AT THIS POINT IS CANNIBALIZING ITS OWN MEMBERS.

THE GOVERNOR IS AFRAID TO DO IT BECAUSE HE THINKS THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM HIM.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE SAD PART ABOUT THIS, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE KILLING HUMAN BEINGS ON POLITICAL IDEOLOGY, NOT SCIENCE.

THERE'S NOTHING SCIENTIFIC ABOUT NOT WEARING A MASK.

THEY ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE THAT.

THIS IS A SAD DAY.

BUT WHO CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

>> MIKE, WE GOT SEVERAL THINGS GOING ON.

WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR SAYING HE WANTS TO ISSUE A HEALTH ORDER BUT CAN'T BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE WOULDN'T DO IT.

THEN WE GOT THE COURT POSSIBLY COMING INTO PLAY.

IS THIS HOW POLICY-MAKING SHOULD BE DONE?

>> THERE'S THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, AS YOU KNOW, AND IN OHIO, WE HAVE A SUPERVETO MAJORITY.

THAT'S THE WAY WE HAVE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN OUR COUNTRY.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN ELECTION IN 2022 AND PEOPLE CAN VOTE OTHERWISE.

I SUSPECT THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE, HOWEVER.

THE COURTS SHOULDN'T BE INVOLVED IN POLICY-MAKING.

THAT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES DO AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, HATE TO GIVE CIVICS LESSONS.

THERE SHOULDN'T BE A MANDATE BUT WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE IT.

>> IT'S WRONG.

THEY'RE KILLING PEOPLE AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ALL HAS A MAJORITY BECAUSE -- GERRYMANDERED THE DISTRICTS.

DON'T GIVE ME THAT POPPYCOCK ABOUT HAVING A MAJORITY.

LOOK AT THE LINE, SNAKE ON THE LAKE.

[ INAUDIBLE ] >> WORK TOGETHER, MIKE GONIDAKIS.

>> WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS DISTRICTS LATER.

BUT ANNA, WHAT IS THE VIBE AT THE STATE HOUSE RIGHT NOW WHEN IT COMES TO LEGISLATING?

DO YOU BELIEVE IF A MASK MANDATE WERE ISSUED THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD GET RID OF IT?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

THERE'S ALSO TWO BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT HAVEN'T REALLY MOVED ON HEARINGS, BUT SUPPOSED TO MOVE THIS FALL THAT WOULD BASICALLY BAN MANDATES.

SO IT WOULD REMOVE DISTRICTS' ABILITY TO MANDATE MASKS IN SCHOOL.

I BELIEVE THERE'S ONE IN THE HOUSE.

SO McDONNELL THEY NOT WANT A STATEWIDE MANDATE, THEY WANT THE ABILITY OF DISTRICTS TO ISSUE THEIR OWN MANDATE.

IF ANYTHING, THE REPUBLICANS THAT CONTROL BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE PRETTY STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT THE IDEA OF MANDATING MASKS AND THEY ARE NOT WITH THE GOVERNOR ON THIS ONE.

>> MIKE, WE ARE SEEING A SURGE IN COVID CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS WHERE ICUs ARE SAYING THAT THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF CAPACITY.

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT THE POLITICIANS, ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD BE DOING TO TRY STEM THIS TIDE THAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?

>> NO.

THERE'S NOT A GOVERNMENT SOLUTION FOR EVERY ISSUE.

COVID IS GOING TO STAY AND IT'S HERE TO STAY.

PEOPLE ARE STILL GETTING COVID NOT ONCE BUT TWICE.

SO THERE'S NOT A GOVERNMENT SOLUTION TO EVERYTHING.

THEY CAN HELP, BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO FIX EVERYTHING.

GOVERNORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY STARTED LOCKING DOWN OUR STATE AND KICKING KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, WE'RE IN THE EXACT SAM PLACE WE WERE MONTHS AGO.

THESE THINGS AREN'T WORKING, YET WE'RE SOMEHOW BOWING AT THE ALTAR SAYING IF WE DO THIS, IT'S GOING TO STOP COVID.

IT'S HERE TO STAY.

>> SAM, GO AHEAD.

>> CAN I RESPOND TO THAT?

THAT'S POPPYCOCK AND YOU KNOW IT.

THERE ARE THINGS THEY COULD DO IS THAT SCIENCE SAYS THEY SHOULD BE DOING.

MASKS IS ONE.

GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING FOR PEOPLE WHAT THEY CAN'T DO FOR THEMSELVES AND TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING IN AN EMERGENCY.

YOUR PARTY IS NOT DOING THAT.

IN FACT, I'LL REPEAT, THEY'RE KILLING HUMAN BEINGS OVER POLITICAL IDEOLOGY.

>> MIKE, YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT?

>> YEAH.

WELL, AS I SAID EARLIER, IT'S THE REASON WHY YOUR PARTY IS IN THE MINORITY AND WILL REMAIN IN THE MINORITY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE PEOPLE SHOULD GET VACCINATED, BUT WE SHOULDN'T MANDATE OR FORCE THEM TO GET VACCINATED.

[ INAUDIBLE ] PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GET THE VACCINE.

MAYBE THEY HAVE NATURAL IMMUNITY OR HELL ISSUES, BUT THEY'RE DEMONIZED FOR NOT GETTING IT.

>> LET ME CORRECT YOU AGAIN.

I AM NOT A DEMOCRAT AND DON'T FORGET THAT.

I'M INDEPENDENT.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO OUR SECOND TOPIC, THE OHIO REDISTRICTING COMMISSION ADOPTED NEW STATE HOUSE AND SENATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT MAPS THAT ONCE AGAIN SECURED A SUPER MAJORITY FOR REPUBLICANS.

THE COMMISSION VOTED MINUTE OVER THE DEADLINE BUT ACTIVISTS SAY THE FINAL MAPS COMPLETELY MISS THE BOAT.

SAM, WE WERE BOTH THERE WATCHING THE COMMISSION HOLD ITS MEETINGS.

YOU HEARD SEVERAL PEOPLE GIVE TESTIMONY.

WE EVEN SAW GOVERNOR MIKE DeWINE APOLOGIZING BEFORE VOTING YES SAYING THE MAPS FALL SHORT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THE STATE LAWMAKERS AND THEN WHAT THE STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS WERE SAYING ABOUT THE MASKS BEFORE THEY VOTED YES?

>> I THOUGHT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SECRETARY OF STATE IT WAS POPPYCOCK.

I THOUGHT SENATOR SYKES AND REPRESENTATIVE SYKES MADE A GREAT DAY OF SENSE IN THEIR COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE WATCHING HERE IS THE SLOW DEATH OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND THEY FOUND SEVERAL ELEMENTS TO KILL THEMSELVES WITH.

ONE IS THE COVID.

THE SECOND IS THE REDISTRICTING.

WE DREW UP THESE RULES.

WE STRUGGLED FOR YEARS TO GET THERE.

AND THEN THEY WERE TOTALLY OBLITERATED.

THEY DIDN'T DO ANY OF THE THINGS THAT THE LAW CALLS FOR AND ENDED UP WITH SUPER DISTRICTS AGAIN.

THEY ENDED WITH A STRONG MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, A STRONG MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SAYS NO DISTRICT SHOULD FAVOR ANY POLITICAL PARTY, NOT THE WAY THEY DREW IT.

GOD, THEY HAVE NO RESPECT, NO CIVILITY, NO UNDERSTANDING, AND NO CHARACTER OR CARING FOR PEOPLE FOR THE WAY THEY BEHAVED.

>> MIKE, THESE MAPS IN THE OHIO HOUSE, REPUBLICAN SENATE PRESIDENT MATT HUFFMAN SAID IT WOULD GUARANTEE 23 SEATS FOR REPUBLICANS COMPARED TO TEN FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

HOW IS THAT NOT GERRYMANDERING?

>> IT'S NOT BECAUSE THE CONSTITUTION SAYS SO IT'S NOT ONLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL IF THEY DID, IT'S COMPLIANT.

LISTEN, AT THE END OF THE DAY WHETHER IT'S A 10-YEAR MAP OR 4-YEAR MAP, IT'S TURCHLT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU LOOK AT IT, REGARDLESS OF HOW LINES ARE DRAWN, CANDIDATES MATTER, ISSUES MATTER.

IDEAS MATTER.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THEY'VE LOST.

A REPUBLICAN TOOK A STATE IN 2018 THAT WAS HELD BY 17 YEARS BY A DEMOCRAT.

THE LINES WEREN'T REDRAWN, HE WAS JUST A BETTER CANDIDATE.

OHIOANS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF SOME OF THE THINGS COMING OUT OF THE DEMOCRATS' MOUTHS.

TRUMP WON OHIO BY EIGHT POINTS IN 2016.

THAT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE.

PEOPLE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS, BUT THEN DEMOCRAT DISTRICTS, YOU CAN ONLY DRAW THE MAP SO MANY WAYS.

THE COURT SAYS YOU CANNOT -- THE FEDERAL COURT SAID YOU CANNOT DRAW LINES BASED ON RACE.

SEGREGATION IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, STRIELTS CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, BUT THEY TRIED TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE COMPACT, KEPT TOGETHER.

>> NO, NO.

[ INAUDIBLE ] >> HOLD ON, HOLD ON.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE LOST.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR.

THE REPUBLICANS PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ASPECT OF THIS, AND THEY ADMITTED THAT.

SO THAT'S A VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

THE SECOND THING THAT YOU SAID, NO, THAT'S THE TRUTH.

THE PARTISANNESS IN THE STATE OF OHIO, 45/55.

45-55 IS A 10% DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHO'S IN THE MAJORITY.

THESE DISTRICTS DON'T REPRESENT A 10% DIFFERENCE.

THEY'RE OVERWHELMINGLY ONE PARTY.

YOU OBLITERATED THE LINES RIGHT AWAY.

YOUR PARTY WAS DISINGENUOUS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS WHOLE PROCESS.

THEY HAVE NO INTEGRITY, THEY HAVE NO HONEST, THEY ARE RUTHLESS.

I'LL STOP.

>> LET'S -- >> ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS?

>> LET'S GO TO ANNA IN THIS.

ANNA, VOTERS IN 2015 VOTED FOR THESE REFORMS.

IS THIS THE PROCESS THAT VOTERS WANTED TO SEE WHEN THEY WENT TO THE BALLOT BOX IN 2015?

>> PROBABLY NOT, BUT THEY ALSO DIDN'T WANT THE DATA TO SHOW UP, LIKE, SIX MONTHS LATE.

AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GETS LOST IN THE FIGHT OVER HOW THE MATH ACTUALLY LOOKS IS THAT THEY HAD LESS THAN A MONTH TO DO THIS PROCESS.

THEY MISSED SOME DEADLINES, BUT EVERYONE ASSUMED THEY WERE GOING TO MISS THE FIRST DEADLINES BECAUSE I THINK THEY GOT THE DATA A WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER 1st DEADLINE.

THAT'S A REALLY SHORT TIME.

THEY SHOULD'VE HAD MORE MONTHS TO DISCUSS THESE.

THE OTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT THE OHIO CONSTITUTION HAS ANOTHER DEADLINE, WHICH IS YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN YOUR STATE HOUSE OR STATE SENATE SEAT ONE YEAR BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

SO BY THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 2nd, YOU HAVE TO BE LIVING IN YOUR DISTRICT.

AND THE LONGER THEY WAIT TO PUT OUT THIS MAP, THE MORE CHALLENGING THAT BECOMES FOR SOMEBODY THAT HAS TO MOVE.

AND I ALSO THINK IT COULD KEEP THEM FROM THE CHANGING LINES TOO MUCH.

IF SOMEBODY MOVED BECAUSE THEY GET A CHOICE AND THEY GET A NEW MAP IN JANUARY, IS THAT UNFAIR TO THE PERSON WHO MADE A DECISION TO RUN BASED ON THE MAP AS IT EXISTS TODAY?

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO RUN INTO A REAL SHORT TIME LINE BECAUSE WAVE ONE-YEAR DEADLINE COMING UP.

>> ANNA, LET'S STAY WITH YOU.

WE SAW THE STATE LEGISLATIVE MAPS DRAWN.

NOW WE'LL SEE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS DRAWN DRAWN.

IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THE PROCESS TO WHICH THEY WERE MADE?

>> NO.

IT'S ALSO BECAUSE OHIO IS LOSING A SEAT.

WE'RE GOING FROM 16 TO 15.

YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF INCUMBENTS, TIM RYAN IS RUNNING FOR SENATE.

ANTHONY GONZALEZ DECIDED NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION.

SO I THINK THAT GIVES A LITTLE WIGGLE ROOM INTO HOW YOU DRAW THE NEW SEATS, BUT WE'LL HAVE A LOT MORE PLAYERS, THE DCCC, THE RNC AND NATIONAL GROUPS WILL BE INTERESTED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL LINES.

>> MIKE AND SAM, I WANT TO GET BACK TO YOU BRIEFLY, BOTH OF YOU.

DO THESE MAPS GO TO COURT AND WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENS AT COURT?

MIKE, GO FIRST.

>> THE COURT CAN'T REDRAW THE MAPS.

THE COURT CAN SAY GO BACK AND TRY AGAIN, BUT WE'LL KEEP THINGS STATUS QUO UNTIL WE DRAW THE MAPS AGAIN, WHICH WILL BE SAME OR SIMILAR.

YOU WERE ON THE FRONT LINES.

THERE'S ONLY A SEVEN-DISTRICT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN PLAN AND THE DEMOCRAT PLAN.

IT'S NOT LIKE THERE'S A HUGE GULF.

GIVE 30 DAYS AND VOTERS SAID NO.

THEY WERE DOING OBSTRUCTION THE ENTIRE TIME, SO WE'RE STUCK WITH THAT MAP.

>> SAM, DOES THIS GO TO COURT?

>> YES, IT DOES, BUT THERE WON'T BE MUCH CHANCE.

I'M HOPING THE COURT FINDS A WAY TO ARTICULATE ITS DISSATISFACTION WITH THE PROCESS AND THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROCESS.

THAT'S ALL THEY CAN DO.

NOW I'LL TELL YOU HERE'S THE THING.

THE ONE-YEAR RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT IS IMPORTANT, BUT BETWEEN THIS FOUR-YEAR TIME OF THIS MAP, THOSE STATEWIDE OFFICERS ARE GOING TO BE TARGETED AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOW THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE CONSTITUTION.

>> STAY TUNED.

>>> MOVING ON, WE'RE ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS FROM THE STATE'S 2022 PRIMARY, SPEAKING OF WHAT SAM JUST SAID WITH MORE ELECTIONS COMING UP.

THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES REMAIN LARGE, BUT WE'LL NARROW AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE FEBRUARY FILING DEADLINE.

GOVERNOR MIKE DeWINE WILL LIKELY FACE FORMER CONGRESSMAN JAMAICA RENACEY.

THAT LEAVES THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN A TOUGH SPOT.

USUALLY THE PARTY WOULD GET BEHIND ITS SITTING GOVERNOR WITH LITTLE DEBATE.

BUT SO FAR PARTY LEADERS HAVE NOT ENDORSED DeWINE.

MANY ARE UP FRONT WITH HOW THE GOVERNOR HANDLED THE PANDEMIC, AND SO THE PARTY SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL.

LET'S GO TO MIKE HERE.

MIKE, WHAT'S THE THINKING HERE?

WHY DOESN'T THE PARTY JUST AUTOMATICALLY ENDORSE THE GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, THE STATE COMMITTEE IS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE AND THEIR SENATE DISTRICTS, SAME AS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE'S ENOUGH MEMBERS THAT HAVE CONCERNS AS IT RELATES ENDORSING THE GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW.

ULTIMATELY THEY WILL.

I BELIEVE THEY WILL ENDORSE GOVERNOR DeWINE FOR RE-ELECTION.

BUT THERE'S CONCERNS RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK OUR GOOD CHAIRMAN HANDLED IT BY PUMPING THE BRAKES.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO DO THIS, BUT ALSO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SOLID TICKET AND A STRONG TICKET.

THE DEMOCRATS DON'T EVEN HAVE A CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE ARE OR AUDITOR.

SO I THINK WE'RE IN A BETTER SPOT THAN THE DEMOCRATS TODAY.

>> ANNA STAVER, IT'S UNUSUAL FOR THE PARTY TO NOT ENDORSE AN INTENT GOVERNOR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE HERE?

>> I AGREE.

I DO THINK THEY WILL EVENTUALLY COME HOME AND ENDORSE HIM.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I ALSO QUESTION HOW MUCH, LIKE, THE STATE ENDORSEMENT MATTERS IN THE LONG RUN, WHETHER IT'S REALLY THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF, LIKE, VOTERS WHEN THEY DECIDE WHO THEY WANT FOR GOVERNOR.

I AM SAY ANECDOTALLY I WAS -- MY HUSBAND'S FAMILY IS FROM NORTH DAKOTA OHIO.

WE WERE AT THE WAYNE COUNTY FAIR THE OTHER WEEKEND, AND I DIDN'T SEE A SINGLE MIKE DeWINE SIGN.

EVEN WITHIN THE WAYNE COUNTY GOP BOOTH.

SO IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE DIVIDE IS AS YOU GO ACROSS THE STATE IN TERMS OF, LIKE, WHICH STATE PARTY -- COUNTY PARTIES ARE SUPPORTING THE GOVERNOR VERSUS NOT SUPPORTING THE GOVERNOR.

IF MEMORY SERVES, I THINK CLAREMONT COUNTY GOP ASKED THE STATE NOT TO ENDORSE IN 2022.

>> SAM, DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS SEE THIS AS A VULNERABILITY IN THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE?

>> I THINK THEY DO.

BUT ONE ASPECT OF THE PRESENTATION MADE, THEY HAVE CANDIDATES WHO ARE COMPETITIVE.

WE HAVE A STATEWIDE RECOGNITION.

I WANT TO WARN MY FRIEND, MICHAEL, DID YOU SEE CALIFORNIA WHERE IT WAS ALL RIGHT-WING REPUBLICAN ADS.

LOOK AT THAT STATE NOW.

OHIO IS A RED RUBY STATE, AND NOBODY ELSE WANTS TO CALL IT ANYTHING ELSE.

BUT THAT WILL NOT BE FOREVER.

IT WILL CHANGE.

AND THE DEMOGRAPHICS IN THIS COUNTY, THE INCREASING POPULATION OF OHIO PRIMARILY CAME FROM PEOPLE OF COLOR.

GIVE US TIME.

STAND BY, AS YOUR PRESIDENT SAYS.

>> ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT, MIKE?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO MAKE A GENERAL ASSUMPTION AS A PERSON OF COLOR.

I'M GLAD WE'RE SEEING MORE MINORITIES, MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR IN OUR STATE.

I THINK WE HAVE BETTER IDEAS THAN THE DEMOCRATS AND 2022 IS GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR FOR A MIDTERM ELECTION.

IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS NEXT YEAR.

>> THEY WILL GO BACK INTO SESSION ANY TALK IN THE STATE HOUSE OF OTHERS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, MAYBE NOT IN THE LEGISLATURE LOOKING AT RUNNING IN A STATEWIDE RACE?

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY ALLISON RUSSO IS IN THE PRIMARY FOR THE 15th RIGHT NOW .

IF SHE DOESN'T WIN, I THINK SHE'LL BE BACK AGAIN IN 2022, AND WHATEVER DISTRICT THAT'S CONFIGURED.

YOU KNOW, I KNEW STEPHANIE QUINCY TIED FOR THE 15th.

WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF SHE'S STILL INTERESTED.

AND OBVIOUSLY THERE'S STILL A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

MATT DOLAN STINAL HASN'T MADE A FINAL DECISION, BUT HE'S TAKING A TOUR ACROSS THE STATE TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT HE WANTS TO DO THERE.

>> HOW CONGRESSMAN ANTHONY GONZALEZ THIS WEEK CEDED HIS SEAT AFTER TWO TERMS, CALLING PRESIDENT TRUMP A CANCER FOR THE COUNTRY.

GONZALEZ WAS AMONG TEN REPUBLICANS IN THE U.S. HOUSE TO VOTE FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF TRUMP AFTER THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION.

HE SAID HE WOULD RATHER WALK AWAY THAN COMPETE AGAINST A TRUMP-BACKED PRIMARY OPPONENT.

MIKE, GONZALEZ WAS SOMEONE WHO WAS A CONSERVATIVE VOICE FOR OHIO, THE SORT OF CANDIDATE ONCE PRIZED BY THE GOP.

OTHERS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO FOLLOW SUIT.

IS THIS GOOD FOR THE PARTY?

>> IT'S NOT GOOD OR BAD.

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION, MR. GONZALEZ IS A FRIEND.

I KNOW HIM.

YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE IT'S A LOT CLOSER THAN PEOPLE THOUGHT AT THE END OF THE DAY, BUT A TRUMP ENDORSEMENT OF OHIO IS MIKE CARRIE WHO WON IN THE 15th DISTRICT AROUND HERE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, THE BEST CANDIDATE SHOULD WIN.

MR. GONZALEZ SAID IN HIS SPEECH HE CARES MORE ABOUT HIS FAMILY AND HIS KIDS THAN GOING THROUGH THE PRIMARIES.

YOU KNOW, TO EACH HIS OWN.

>> SAM, WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS SAYS ABOUT THE OHIO REPUBLICAN PARTY AT THIS POINT WITH GONZALEZ STEPPING DOWN?

>> I THINK IT REFLECTS WHAT I SAID AT THE BEGINNING, A SLOW DEATH OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, NOT DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE DIRT OF WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STANDS FOR, WHITE SUPREMACY, AGAINST ABORTION, I CAN GO ON AND ON.

WHAT IT STANDS FOR NOW -- WHEN I GREW UP, I RESPECTED PERSY AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE REPUBLICANS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE PASSED THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.

BUT IT'S A DIFFERENT PARTY NOW.

IT'S NOT THE SAME PARTY.

IT'S A PARTY WHERE LOONY TUNES GET ELECTED IN THE PRIMARIES AND LOSE IN THE GENERAL.

THIS IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY.

I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, MIKE.

IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT DO NOT BELIEVE IN WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS DOING.

NOW, IF YOU TAKE -- IF YOU WANT NUMBERS, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS NOT WON A GENERAL ELECTION FOR PRESIDENCY SINCE 2004.

EVERY YEAR THEY'VE LOST THE POPULAR VOTE.

THEY'VE NEVER WON IT.

THAT IS A BAD STATISTICAL SIGN.

THEY DIDN'T WIN BY POPULAR VOTE.

[ INAUDIBLE ] >> MEN AND WOMEN DIED TO FIGHT FOR THAT CONSTITUTION, OKAY, LET'S HONOR AND RESPECT IT.

>> SAM, LET'S -- MIKE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND TO OVERALL WHAT SAM JUST SAID?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S ALL ABOUT RESULTS.

WE HAVE A CONSTITUTION, WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT ELECTS OUR PRESIDENT, IT'S NEVER BEEN BY POPULAR VOTE.

TYPICAL LIBERAL RESPONSE, WHEN THEY GET THE RESULTS, THEY SAY THAT'S RACIST.

THEY'RE SO NUMB TO EVERYONE CLAIMING EVERYTHING IS RACIST, WE DWLA ADDRESS IT.

STOP THIS DEMONIZATION.

IF YOU CALL YOURSELF AN INDEPENDENT, THAT'S FINE.

BUT STOP IT, OKAY?

IT'S A TERRIBLE LOOK FOR YOU.

>> YOU ARE A SAD REALITY FOR SAYING THAT TO ME ABOUT RACISM.

EVERYTHING IS NOT ABOUT RACISM.

BUT THERE ARE -- >> SEEMS THAT WAY.

>> THERE ARE THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT ARE A RESULT OF RACISM.

YOU WANT TO SMOOTH THAT OVER, BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE.

IF WE LIVED IN YOUR WORLD, THEY ARE NO PROBLEM AND WHITE PEOPLE HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR DON'T DESERVE ANY RIGHTS.

I COULD GO HOME TO YOU, BUT I'LL LEAVE YOU ALONE.

>> WE GOT TO MOVE ON AND GO TO OUR OFF THE RECORD COMMENTS.

TIME FOR THE FINAL PARTING SHOT.

SAM, GO AHEAD.

>> I BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE WE WILL GET REDISTRICTING THAT'S FAIR.

>> MIKE?

>> YEAH.

FOUR PEOPLE GOT SHOT ON THURSDAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

IT'S A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

WE HAD OVER 150 MURDERS IN THE CITY OF COLUMBUS THIS YEAR AND WE STILL HAVE THREE AND A HALF MONTHS TO GO.

IF THIS HAPPENED IN A RICH WHITE SUBURB OF DUBLIN, ARLINGTON, THE NATIONAL GUARD WOULD BE CALLED OUT.

>> ANNA STAVER?

>> I'M GOING TO TAKE A DIFFERENT TAKE.

I'M LOVING A PODCAST CALLED "THE DROPOUT" FOLLOWING THE TRIAL OF ELIZABETH HOLMES, THE THERANOS FOUNDER WHO CREATED A BLOOD TESTING SYSTEM THAT ALLEGEDLY NEVER WORKED AND SHE SWINDLED ARGUABLY BILLIONS OUT OF HER INVESTORS.

SHE'S ON TRIAL AND I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE TRIAL THAT JUST STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO WITH RAPTURE.

>> I WANTED TO SEND A CONGRATULATIONS TO COLUMBUS NATIVE HARIF ABDURRAQUIB WHOSE BOOK "A LITTLE DEVIL IN AMERICA: NOTES IN PRAISE OF BLACK PERFORMANCE" IS A FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS IN THE NONFICTION CATEGORY.

HARIF IS AN AMAZING WRITER AND ESSAYIST AND POET.

YOU CAN ALSO HEAR HIS PODCAST "SMALL JOYS" ANYWHERE YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS.

YOU CAN HEAR HIS PODCAST PRODUCED BY WOSU.

THAT'S IT FOR US HERE ON "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" FOR THIS WEEK.

PLEASE CHECK US OUT ONLINE.

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I'M ANDY CHOW.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.