>>> THE AUGUST ELECTION PRESSURE CAMPAIGN AND LEGAL MARIJUANA MOVES CLOSER TO THE BALLOT.

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>>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD."

THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK FOR LAWMAKERS TO DECIDE IF THEY WILL ASK VOTERS TO MAKE IT HARDER TO CHANGE THE OHIO CONSTITUTION IN AN AUGUST ELECTION.

THE MATTER IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE HOUSE.

THIS WEEK OPPONENTS OF THE MOVE TO REQUIRE A 60% MAJORITY TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION RALLIED OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE.

INSIDE THE STATE HOUSE AND ON TV ADS, SUPPORTERS OF THE MOVE ARE PUTTING PRESSURE ON HOUSE SPEAKER JASON STEVENS.

>> THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

WE HAVE LESS THAN A WEEK TO SAVE OHIO'S CONSTITUTION FROM A RADICAL LIBERAL TAKEOVER.

SPEAKER JASON STEVENS HAS THE POWER TO STOP THEM.

CONSERVATIVES ACROSS OHIO ARE DEMANDING ACTION.

IT'S TIME FOR SPEAKER JASON STEVENS TO SAVE OHIO'S CONSTITUTION BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTEND OF THIS ADVERTISING.

>> THE EFFORT COMES AS VOTERS MAY DECIDE IN NOVEMBER WHETHER TO ENSHRINE ABORTION RIGHTS INTO THE CONSTITUTION.

THE HEAD OF OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE HAS BEEN TRYING TO DRUM UP VOTES IN THE HOUSE TO GET THIS ON THE BALLOT IN AUGUST.

WHERE DO YOU STAND?

>> WE'RE READY FOR A VOTE NEXT WEEK.

WE SUBMITTED TO THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE.

WE TURNED IN THE SIGNATURES DEMONSTRATING WE HAD 60 MEMBERS OF THE GOP, 63 WHEN THE VOTE TAKES PLACE THAT SUPPORTS A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW US, WE, THE PEOPLE, 8 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS TO DECIDE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARDS.

THE CAKE IS BAKED.

WE'RE READY TO GO.

>> SO YOU HAVE THE 60 VOTES SOLID?

>> WE HAVE 60 VOTES FROM INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO PUT IN WRITING THAT I SUPPORT THIS.

WE WERE TOLD WE DIDN'T HAVE IT.

WE WENT OUT AND GOT IT.

>> THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN I WILL VOTE YES.

>> THEY SIGNED A DOCUMENT SAYING THEY WILL VOTE AND SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WITH AN AUGUST ELECTION.

>> THE HOUSE DELAYED A VOTE OR AT LEAST DID NOT VOTE THIS WEEK, WHETHER IT WAS A DELAY OR NOT.

IT COULD COME NEXT WEEK.

>> RIGHT.

THEY HAD A COMMITTEE HEARING SCHEDULED.

THERE WAS A PRETTY BIG PROTEST TURNOUT, SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE.

THE COMMITTEE ENDED UP GETTING CANCELLED.

THERE IS A HOUSE FLOOR SESSION SCHEDULED FOR MAY 10th, WHICH COINCIDES WITH THE DEADLINE AS THE LAST MINUTE FOR GETTING THIS THING ON THE AUGUST BALLOT.

SO NEVER SAY NEVER.

WE'LL SEE IF IT HAPPENS.

>> MIKE, MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE COME OUT OPPOSED TO THIS, FORMER GOVERNORS, BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN, FORMER ATTORNEYS GENERAL, BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN, LOCAL BOARDS OF ELECTIONS HAVE COME OUT AGAINST THIS.

WITH SUCH OVERWHELMING PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO THIS, EVEN IF IT GETS ON THE BALLOT, HOW ON EARTH ARE YOU GOING TO GET IT PASSED?

>> EASILY BECAUSE THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO BE MOTIVATED TO DO THIS.

WHETHER YOU'RE PRO-LIFE, A FAMILY FARMER OR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, OUR COALITION IS NOT JUST RIGHT TO LIFE, SECOND AMENDMENT.

WE HAVE A LARGE COALITION READY TO GO FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

THEY SUPPORT SUPPORTING OUR CONSTITUTION.

WHEN FORMER POLITICIANS COME OUT AND SAY DON'T DO SOMETHING, WE DON'T CARE WHAT THE POLITICAL CLASS THINKS.

OHIO IS DIFFERENT TODAY.

WE'RE NOT ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY.

WE'RE ASKING THEM TO ALLOW US TO HAVE THE DEBATE IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE AND CAST OUR BALLOT.

>> THOSE OPPOSED TO ABORTION RIGHTS MIGHT COME OUT IN AUGUST TO APPROVE THIS.

WHAT IS THE RESPONSE OF THOSE WHO SUPPORT ABORTION RIGHTS ON THE LEFT?

>> THIS IS SO CLEARLY AN ATTEMPT TO THWART THE EFFORT TO GET ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

HOW DO WE KNOW?

BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS EFFORT BEFORE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION AND RAISE THE THRESHOLD TO PASS BALLOT INITIATIVES.

IF THERE IS SUCH A CONCERN ON MAKING SURE THERE IS PARTICIPATION BY THE PEOPLE, WHY WOULD YOU TAKE THIS TYPE OF MEASURE TO A SPECIAL ELECTION IN AUGUST THAT ALWAYS HAS EXTREMELY LOW VOTER TURNOUT?

I IMAGINE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PUBLIC SUPPORT AS WE SAW THIS WEEK IN THE STATE HOUSE TO BLOCK SUCH AN EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO WHAT'S NECESSARY TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS HERE IN THE STATE OF OHIO.

>> THIS IS NOT A SLAM DUNK FROM YOUR REPORTING, CORRECT?

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE WAVERING?

>> YEAH.

SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS POINTING IN THAT DIRECTION.

AT THE SAME TIME I HAD WRITTEN A STORY ABOUT THE COMMITTEE HEARING ON THURSDAY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.

BASICALLY THEY SPIKED IT.

HAD THEY HAD THE VOTES, IF IT WERE AN EASY SOLUTION, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THINGS LIKE DELAY SESSIONS, CANCEL COMMITTEE HEARINGS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE POLITICS ARE REALLY COMPLICATED WITH THE FIGHT OVER JASON STEVENS BECOMING SPEAKER.

THE SIGNS POINT TOWARD THIS GOING FORWARD.

WE'LL SEE.

>> THE FIRST REASON WHY WE WANTED TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION WAS TO KEEP OUT OF STATE SPECIAL INTERESTS FROM INTERFERING WITH THE OHIO CONSTITUTION.

THE AD WE JUST SAW IS LARGELY FUNDED BY A BUSINESSMAN FROM ILLINOIS, WHOSE COMPANY IS IN WISCONSIN.

IS THAT NOT SPECIAL INTERESTS FROM OUT OF STATE?

>> DEPENDING ON YOUR DEFINITION, IT MIGHT BE.

IS OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE SPECIAL INTEREST?

>> OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE HAS THE WORD OHIO IN IT.

THIS GUY IS IN ILLINOIS.

>> I DON'T KNOW THIS GUY FROM ILLINOIS.

NEVER MET HIM.

HE'S ALLOWED TO DO WHAT HE'S DOING, OF COURSE.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

ANY GROUP CAN DO IT.

ANYONE CAN COME OUT AND ADVOCATE FOR WHAT THEY WANT.

>> YOU SAID ON THIS PROGRAM MANY TIMES THAT YOU WELCOME THE DEBATE OVER THE ABORTION ISSUE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU THINK THIS GOES TO THE BALLOT, YOU WELCOME THE DEBATE TO DISCUSS CIVILLY, HOPEFULLY, WHETHER ABORTION RIGHTS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL OR NOT.

WHY NOT JUST HAVE THAT VOTE IN NOVEMBER?

WHY TRY TO GAME THE SYSTEM IN AUGUST TO MAKE IT HARDER IN NOVEMBER?

LET THE SIMPLE MAJORITY HOW IT'S BEEN FOR A HUNDRED YEARS IN THIS STATE, DECIDE THIS ISSUE, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

WHY NOT GO THAT ROUTE?

>> WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE A NOVEMBER ELECTION.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD HASN'T TURNED IN THEIR SIGNATURES.

WE ALL KNOW THEY WANT TO HOLD THIS TO 2024 TO PROTECT SHERROD BROWN.

THEY SAID IT.

>> YOU'RE GAMING THE SYSTEM IN AUGUST, THOUGH.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> YOU'RE TRYING TO GAME THE SYSTEM.

>> CERTAINLY NOT.

WHEN IS THE RIGHT DAY TO HAVE ELECTIONS?

SHOULD WE TAKE A POLL OF 8 MILLION VOTERS?

I WAS FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION IN MAY.

DIDN'T GET DONE.

HERE WE ARE TODAY.

THAT'S A QUESTION FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

>> NOW THE LEGISLATURE SAYS AUGUST IS NOT THE TIME.

IT'S NOW ILLEGAL TO HAVE THIS KIND OF ELECTION IN AUGUST.

>> ACTUALLY IT'S NOT.

THEY VOTED ON THEY HAVE NO ROUTINE ELECTIONS FOR TAX DISTRICTS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CITIES TO COME IN AUGUST AND PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT.

THEY CONSTITUTION ALLOWS THE LEGISLATURE TO SET A DATE AND TIME THEY SO CHOOSE.

>> WHERE ARE WE ON THE SIGNATURE COLLECTION FOR THE NOVEMBER ABORTION RIGHTS AMENDMENT?

I SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY SOMEONE COLLECTING SIGNATURES.

>> I DID AN EFFORT DAY EVENT AND THERE WAS SOMEBODY BUZZING AROUND WITH IT.

I'VE SEEN IT OUT AND OUT.

I'M NOT SURE WHERE THEY ARE ON THE THEY'RE COLLECTING AS MANY AS THEY WANT, ET CETERA.

>> TALKING TO PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES, I'D SAY THE PEOPLE BEHIND THIS ARE BEING CAGEY BUT THERE'S THE EXPECTATION THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THE BALLOT.

I STILL THINK IT'S HARD, BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU HEAR.

>> THURSDAY IS THE DAY FOR THE FIRST PART OF THIS DEBATE TO BE SETTLED.

>> WEDNESDAY.

>> WEDNESDAY.

SORRY.

MATH IS HARD.

WEDNESDAY.

ANYWAY, THIS WAS THE WEEK THAT OHIO LAWMAKERS HAD TO ACT ON A PROPOSAL TO LEGALIZE ALL MARIJUANA IN OHIO OR THE MATTER COULD GO BEFORE VOTERS.

THURSDAY'S DEADLINE TO APPROVE THE INITIATED STATUTE EXPIRED WITH NO ACTION.

SO SUPPORTERS OF LEGAL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA MUST COLLECT ROUGHLY 125,000 SIGNATURES TO GET THE ISSUE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

IF VOTERS WERE TO APPROVE, POT WOULD BE LEGAL FOR ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 21 AND SALES WOULD BE TAXED AT 10%.

ANDREW TOBIAS, THE LAWMAKERS HAD THIS CHANCE BACK WHEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA WAS BEING PROPOSED.

THERE WAS A CHANCE IT WAS GOING TO GO ON THE BALLOT.

LAWMAKERS SAID, HOLD ON, WE'LL COME UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE.

WHY DIDN'T THAT HAPPEN THIS TIME?

>> I THINK, AS YOU SAW FROM THE SENATE, THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO BROADEN THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

THAT'S A PROCESS THAT'S STILL GOING ON.

MATT HUFFMAN TALKED ABOUT THIS.

THERE'S ZERO INTEREST IN DOING IT ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

THEY HAVE OTHER MORE PRESSING MATTERS TO ATTEND TO.

SO YOU SEE INSTANCES WHERE THESE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES ARE COMING UP AND THE LEGISLATURE BASICALLY TAKES A PASS AND LETS IT PLAY OUT.

UNLIKE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WHICH ARE VERY HARD TO DO, IF THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT THE VOTERS APPROVE, THEY CAN ALWAYS JUST CHANGE THE LAW.

THEY'RE LETTING THIS ONE GO BY FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

>> SAY THIS PASSES IN NOVEMBER.

WOULD LAWMAKERS NULLIFY THIS LAW, DO YOU THINK?

>> IT'S RISKY TO COMPLETELY REJECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS EVEN IF IT IS JUST A SIMPLE MAJORITY PLUS ONE.

IT DOESN'T SIT WELL.

BUT IT'S POLITICS.

STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.

I DO THINK WE HAVE FULLY LEGAL MARIJUANA IN 22 STATES NOW.

I THINK ONLY SIX STATES DON'T EVEN HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

SO THERE'S A BUILDING TIDE TOWARD THIS.

I THINK THAT OVERRIDING THE WILL OF VOTERS WOULD BE RISKY.

>> WILL LAWMAKERS REGRET NOT TRYING TO TAKE MORE CONTROL OVER THIS THEMSELVES, REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUPPORTERS OF THIS MOVE TO HAVE LEGAL MARIJUANA BUT REGULATE IT MORE, TAX IT HIGHER?

MIGHT THEY REGRET IT?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

SENATE BILL 9, STEVE HUFFMAN HAS A GOOD BILL THAT WILL GET PASSED.

ONE OF THE BILL'S SPONSORS HAD SOME HEALTH ISSUES LATELY THAT HE'LL BE BACK IN THE FOLD SOON.

I BELIEVE THAT WILL BE PASSED.

THERE'S A PATH FORWARD FOR EXPANSION OF MEDICINAL MARIJUANA.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, VOTERS WOULD REJECT LEGAL WEED IN OHIO.

>> YOU THINK SO?

>> YES.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT'S EVERYWHERE ELSE?

>> TOO MANY DEATHS OF FENTANYL AND OTHER DRUGS.

>> THE REALITY IS THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ALREADY USING MARIJUANA.

THE RESEARCH DOESN'T NECESSARILY SHOW THAT IT IS A GATEWAY DRUG TO OVER THINGS.

WE NEED TO SOMETIMES HAVE OUR POLICY MAKERS CATCH UP AND FOCUS ON WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE.

IF NOT, IT SOUNDS LIKE A BALLOT INITIATIVE MAKES SENSE.

>> IT'S ANECDOTAL BUT YOU GO ON THE WEBSITE WHO'S PUSHING FOR THIS REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE ALCOHOL.

THE WEBSITE HASN'T BEEN UPDATED IN A LONG TIME.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE NEWS THAT THE LAWMAKERS DIDN'T ACT AND NOW IT'S TIME TO COLLECT SIGNATURES AGAIN.

IS THAT INDICATIVE OF THEIR SERIOUSNESS?

>> I HAVEN'T TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THAT SPECIFICALLY.

WITH THESE CAMPAIGNS IT KIND OF WORKS IN BLOCKS WHERE FIRST YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE BALLOT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO DO SOMETHING.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR THEM TO TAKE IT STEP BY STEP BY STEP.

THEY'VE HAD MONTHS TO SEE THIS IS COMING.

IT'S NOT A SURPRISE.

THIS IS A SERIOUS CAMPAIGN.

I THINK WE'LL BE HEARING MORE FROM THEM SOON.

>> WHAT'S THE TIMELINE?

IS IT LIKE 90 DAYS BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?

>> I THINK IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, USUALLY YOU HAVE TO TURN SIGNATURES IN BY JULY.

>> OKAY.

THEY'LL HAVE RESOURCES BEHIND THEM.

THIS IS BIG MONEY IN THE POT BUSINESS.

>> YEAH.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S NOT TOTALLY A SLAM DUNK.

I THINK THAT GENERALLY THE NATIONAL MONEY GOES TOWARD STATES IN WHICH IT'S MORE OF A SLAM DUNK.

>> OHIO IS ALWAYS CHALLENGING FOR THESE THINGS.

IF YOU TRY TO PASS THIS IN MONTANA WHERE YOU BASICALLY HAVE ONE OR TWO MARKETS, IT'S MUCH EASIER.

MARIJUANA BUSINESSES ARE NOT BOOMING LIKE THEY WERE, SO IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF MAYBE THERE'S NOT AS MUCH MONEY AS TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO.

>> OHIO HAS HAD A TERRIBLE RECENT HISTORY WITH DRUG ADDICTION AND THE OPIOID CRISIS.

IS IT A MUCH HARDER SELL TO LEGALIZE WHAT IS NOW AN ILLEGAL DRUG HERE THAN, SAY, MICHIGAN OR MASSACHUSETTS OR OREGON?

>> WE SHOULDN'T UNDERESTIMATE THE SOPHISTICATION OF VOTERS.

THIS IS A FAIRLY EASY TO UNDERSTAND ISSUE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THE SENSE THERE'S A CERTAIN SET OF STAKEHOLDERS LICENSED TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF THIS AND THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE BEING PUNISHED FOR THE SAME PRODUCT.

THAT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR.

WHEN PUT TO A VOTE, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GET PUBLIC SUPPORT.

JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE SUPPORT IT IN THEORY, DOESN'T MEAN THEY'VE HEARD ABOUT YOUR BALLOT INITIATIVE.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK STILL TO DO.

>> MICHIGAN HAS IT.

THE CATO INSTITUTE BACK IN 2021 DID A STUDY AND FOUND THAT LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN THE STATES THAT DID IT, THE ONLY THING IT AFFECTED WAS THE TAX REVENUE.

DIDN'T AFFECT THE GOOD THINGS PEOPLE WERE SAYING POT WAS GOING TO DO DIDN'T REALLY HAPPEN.

THE BAD THINGS PEOPLE SAY WERE GOING TO HAPPEN DIDN'T REALLY HAPPEN.

THAT HELPS THE PRO MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION CROWD, NO?

>> I DISAGREE.

OHIO IS A PRETTY RURAL STATE OVERALL.

WE'RE PRETTY RED.

RED AND RURAL AND CONSERVATIVE FAMILY VALUES.

I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE 50% PLUS ONE TO SAY LET'S HAVE WEED IN OHIO.

>> OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE FRANK LE ROSE SEEMS LIKE HE'S RUNNING FOR SENATE, BUT HE HAS YET TO DECLARE HIS CANDIDACY.

IN LATE APRIL HE WAS MAKING HIS PITCH TO CLEVELAND AREA REPUBLICANS WHO GATHERED FOR AN EVENT.

POLITICO OBTAINED A SECRET RECORDING OF LE ROSE MAKING HIS PITCH.

>> TALK ABOUT A VISION FOR MAKING THE COUNTRIES STRONGER AND WHY I WANT TO SERVE.

WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT CAN ACTUALLY BEAT SHERROD BROWN.

I'VE GOT 80% STATEWIDE NAME RECOGNITION.

PAT DOLAN HAS LIKE 15%.

BERNIE MORENO HAS LIKE 4%.

>> THE VALUE OF TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT PROVED VALUABLE TO NOW SENATOR JD VANCE.

LE ROSE DOWN PLAYS ITS IMPORTANCE IN THIS CYCLE.

THERE'S PROBABLY 20% OF THE PARTY THAT WILL VOTE FOR WHOEVER HE ENDORSES.

THERE'S ANOTHER 20% THAT CARE ABOUT WHO HE ENDORSES, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE DECISIONMAKER.

THERE'S ANOTHER 60% OF THE PARTY WHO DON'T CARE.

>> HE SAID HE WANTS TO BE A U.S.

SENATOR.

HE SAID IT PRIVATELY.

WHEN DOES HE MAKE IT OFFICIAL PUBLICLY?

WHAT'S HOLDING HIM BACK?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS TIMING IS ON THIS.

IT'S STILL PRETTY EARLY.

MORENO AND DOLAN GOT IN, I THINK, ON THE EARLIER SIDE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PRIMARY FOR THE REPUBLICANS AGAIN.

MAYBE NOT QUITE AS LARGE AS IT WAS FOR PORTMAN'S OPEN SEAT, BUT I DO THINK, AT LEAST ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THERE'S GOING TO BE A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY, A HUGE AMOUNT OF FIGHTING, A LOT OF CONTROVERSY, A LOT OF JOCKEYING FOR POSITION.

I THINK THAT DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT IS VERY KEY.

I THINK THAT HELPED JD VANCE ENORMOUSLY.

>> LET'S FACT CHECK THE NAME ID FIGURES.

DOES FRANK LE ROSE REALLY HAVE 80% NAME ID IN OHIO?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION SPECIFICALLY.

THAT SEEMS A LITTLE HIGH, BUT HE IS WELL KNOWN.

STATEWIDE, WON TWICE, BEEN A STATE SENATOR.

HE'S GOTTEN A LOT OF MEDIA ATTENTION.

I'M PRETTY CERTAIN THE OTHER TWO GUYS THEIR NAME ID IS LOW, BECAUSE BERNIE MORENO IS A BUSINESSMAN.

BUT BERNIE HAS A GREAT CAMPAIGN.

MATT'S WORKING HARD, GOT A LOT OF MONEY, GUARDIANS AND OTHER THINGS THAT BACK HIM UP.

I LOVE IT.

ROBUST DEBATE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, GO OUT, RUN IF YOU WANT TO RUN AND THE VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHO'S THE BEST CANDIDATE TO FACE SHERROD BROWN.

>> I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO KEEP THEIR HEADS DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

GENERALLY SPEAKING AS I'VE BEEN DOING REPORTING ON THE SUBJECT, MANY PEOPLE THINK HE WON'T RUN.

HE PASSED ON RUNNING IN 2022 FOR GOVERNOR.

HE CONSIDERED CHALLENGING MIKE DEWINE.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE CLUB FOR GROWTH HAS ESSENTIALLY SAID THEY WOULD BACK HIM IF HE DID.

I'M NOT RULING IT OUT, BUT AT THIS POINT I THINK IF YOU WERE TO PICK WHO'S LIKELY TO RUN I'D PICK LE ROSE.

>> HE HAS TO PICK CONGRESS OR SENATE.

SHERROD BROWN HAS BEEN LISTED IN THE TOP FIVE MOST VULNERABLE SENATORS IN THIS COMING ELECTION IN 2024.

HOW WORRIED ARE THEY ABOUT FRANK LE ROSE?

>> WE AS DEMOCRATS IN OHIO HAVE TO BE WORRIED REGARDLESS WHO THE REPUBLICAN OPPONENT IS IN THIS RACE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A FIGHT.

THE NUMBERS AREN'T TRENDING IN OUR FAVOR.

IN TERMS OF LE ROSE'S REMARKS, HE HASN'T ANNOUNCED YET, IT'S EARLY IN THE PRIMARY, IT'S ALL ABOUT TRYING TO MAKE YOUR CASE TO GET THE MONEY.

IT'S IN HIS INTEREST TO DOWN PLAY DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT WHEN HE ISN'T GUARANTEED TO GET IT.

>> HE WAS CAREFUL.

HE DIDN'T BASH DONALD TRUMP.

HE BASICALLY SAID HE WANTS DONALD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT, BUT HE'S NOT GOING TO GROVEL OR BEG FOR IT.

THOSE NUMBERS PROBABLY ARE FAIRLY -- I MEAN, 20% ARE GOING TO GO WITH WHATEVER TRUMP SAYS AND THE REST ARE WAVERING.

>> YEAH, BUT 20% IS ENORMOUS IN A FOUR-WAY PRIMARY.

THAT'S THE DECISIONMAKER RIGHT THERE.

>> WILL IT BE THAT WAY AGAIN?

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE FIVE OR SIX REPUBLICANS RUNNING?

WILL IT BE AS NASTY AS IT WAS WHEN IT WAS JOSH MANDEL AND GIBBONS AND JD VANCE AND MATT DOLAN?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

THOSE GUYS ARE MY FRIENDS, FULL DISCLOSURE, BUT THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.

WE PROBABLY WON'T SEE THE FISTICUFFS LIKE WE SAW LAST YEAR IN THE TV DEBATE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT IS GOING TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE.

>> ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT OTHER STATEWIDE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT AT LEAST HINTING STRONGLY -- >> YOU NEED A LOT TO RUN FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

IT'S NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A FEW CLEAR FRONT RUNNERS IN YOUR PARTY, I THINK DAVE YOST AND FRANK LE ROSE HAVE ALIGNED INTEREST IN CERTAIN WAYS.

IT'S STILL EARLY.

THERE COULD BE MORE THAT COME IN.

EVEN HAVING A FEW OPTIONS IS GOING TO MAKE FOR A FIGHT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> ALSO, THE ENVIRONMENT HERE IS A LOT DIFFERENT IN 2022.

IT WAS BELIEVED TO BE A STRONG REPUBLICAN YEAR THAT DIDN'T QUITE COME TO PASS.

ENVIRONMENT.

NATIONAL DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BE POURING MONEY INTO SHERROD BROWN'S SEAT.

I THINK IT'S MORE OF A MEAT GRINDER.

SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE MAYBE PLANNING ON RUNNING FOR REELECTION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> WHEN OHIO HOLDS PRIMARY ELECTIONS, ANYONE CAN VOTE IN EITHER PRIMARY.

ALL PARTISANS AND INDEPENDENTS HAVE TO DO IS BASICALLY JOIN THAT PARTY FOR THAT ELECTION.

SOME CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS WANT TO CLOSE OHIO'S PRIMARIES, ONLY VOTERS WHO DECLARE THEMSELVES DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS LONG BEFORE WOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE PRIMARIES.

HE SAYS OPEN PRIMARIES CAN LEAD TO WHAT HE CALLS PARTY RATING, WHICH ALLOWS VOTERS FROM OUTSIDE THE PARTY TO CHOOSE CANDIDATES THE PARTY FAITHFUL MAY NOT WANT.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH SAYING, OKAY, THIS IS A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

WE WANT DEMOCRATS TO SAY WHO THEIR CANDIDATE IS, OR REPUBLICANS.

INDEPENDENTS, LET US KNOW A FEW MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME, NOT JUST ON ELECTION DAY.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE VERY LOW VOTER ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION.

THIS IS A HORRIBLE IDEA, IN MY OPINION, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO IMMEDIATELY FURTHER DISENFRANCHISE A LOT OF VOTERS IN OHIO WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT PRIMARIES ARE AND DON'T KNOW EVEN WHAT ELECTIONS ARE HAPPENING.

I'LL ALSO SAY I THINK IT IS A STRENGTH OF OUR SYSTEM IN OHIO THAT WE HAVE OPEN PRIMARIES ESPECIALLY SINCE WE ARE LOOKING AT GERRYMANDERED DISTRICTS.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THIS TYPE OF FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY UNAFFILIATED VOTERS.

>> SHOULD THE PRIMARIES BE OPEN OR SHOULD THE PARTY PAINFUL, WHOEVER THEY ARE, DECIDE WHO THE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE?

>> THE PRIMARY SHOULD BE OPEN.

IMAGINE IF YOU WERE A DEMOCRAT IN 2022 AND YOUR CHOICES WERE WHALEY OR CRANLEY FOR GOVERNOR.

YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR MIKE DEWINE IN THE PRIMARY BECAUSE HE'S THE BEST GUY.

IF I WAS A DEMOCRAT, GEEZ, I'M VOTING FOR MIKE DEWINE.

IT SHOULD BE OPEN FOR ANYONE TO VOTE IN ANY PRIMARY THEY WANT.

IT'S WE THE PEOPLE.

IT'S OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

>> HOW MUCH OF THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENS WHERE SOMEONE WILL CROSS OVER TO BE MISCHMISCHIEVOUS.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S DATA TO SHOW THIS IS HAPPENING ON A LEVEL THAT ACTUALLY MAKES AN IMPACT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO WITH THEIR TIME THAN TO RUN AROUND AND SWITCH PRIMARIES.

I ALSO THINK THAT REQUIRING THIS DECLARATION PUTS UP ANOTHER VOTE BARRIER AND WOULD FURTHER SUPPRESS TURNOUT.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT 2018 COMPARED TO 2022, THERE WAS A HUGE DROPOFF.

YOU ANECDOTALLY HEARD FROM PEOPLE IN THE CLEVELAND AREA, DEMOCRAT VOTERS CROSSING OVER AND VOTING FOR HIM, THEY SAW HIM BEING THE MOST REASONABLE OF THAT FIELD.

YES, THERE'S NO DEFINITIVE DATA.

BUT IT'S NOT INSIGNIFICANT.

>> WE ALSO NEED TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARTY RATING, WHICH IS SOME KIND OF OUTSIDE EFFORT TO SWING PRIMARIES AND PEOPLE AS INDIVIDUALS MAKING THEIR DECISIONS ABOUT HOW THEY WANT TO VOTE IN ELECTIONS.

I THINK THE LATTER IS A GOOD THING, ENCOURAGE.

YOU SHOULD BE MAKING YOUR OWN DECISIONS.

I THINK THE FORMER IS NOT THAT COMMON IN A WAY THAT IT'S ACTUALLY SWINGING THE OUTCOMES OF ELECTIONS.

>> I KNOW ONE PERSON WHO WAS ON THE SHOW VERY, VERY FAR LEFT, BECAME A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SO HE COULD VOTE AGAINST KENNETH BLACKWELL WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

OUR PARTING SHOTS.

MORGAN?

>> I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON SOME OF THESE ELECTRICITY RATE HIKES THAT OHIO MIGHT BE BRINGING.

I THINK WE SHOULD ALL BE LOOKING AT THIS, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DATA TO SUPPORT WHY THEY'RE SAYING THEY NEED THIS MONEY.

SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT.

>> NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 10th AT 2:00 P.M. OUR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS GOING TO PRESS A GREEN BUTTON OR A RED BUTTON.

WE'RE ASKING EVERYONE TO PRESS THE GREEN BUTTON SO WE CAN ALL DEBATE THIS ISSUE.

>> A STORY THAT DIDN'T GET A LOT OF ATTENTION THIS WEEK WAS TIM RYAN, THE FORMER CONGRESSMAN IN 2022 SENATE CANDIDATE WHO IS NOW LOOKING FOR WORK.

HE TOOK A POSITION WITH THE BITCOIN POLICY INSTITUTE.

I'M UNCLEAR IF IT'S PAID.

HE'S ALSO DONE SOME OTHER LOBBYING ADVOCACY TYPE WORK.

I'M INTERESTED IN HIS POST CONGRESS CAREER.

>> ANOTHER STORY THAT DIDN'T GET A WHOLE LOT OF ATTENTION BUT I THINK IS PRETTY IMPORTANT, THE CORRECTIONS INSTITUTION INSPECTION COMMITTEE, THE CIIC GET AN INSPECTION OF INDIAN RIVER JUVENILE PRISON.

THEY JUST FOUND THERE'S ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH VACANCIES, VIOLENCE AND KIDS BEING STUCK IN THEIR ROOMS.

>> MY APPLICATION IS THE BLUE JACKETS, BIG NIGHT.

THEY FOUND OUT IF THEY GET THE NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK.

I PREDICT THEY'LL GET ONE OF THE TOP FOUR NHL DRAFT PICKS THIS TIME.

OF COURSE THEY'RE GUARANTEED TO GET THE TOP FOUR.

THAT IS "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" FOR THIS WEEK.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND WATCH US ANY TIME AT OUR WEBSITE OR ON THE PBS VIDEO APP.

FOR THE CREW AND PANEL, I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

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