Ohio GOP looking to oust nonpartisan campaign finance oversight agency

Ohio Republicans approved a two-year spending plan that includes removing the Ohio Elections Commission (OEC), a nonpartisan body that oversees campaign finance in the state.

The OEC is currently comprised of a seven-member board, with three Republicans and three Democrats all appointed by the governor. The six members then fill the final spot with someone who isn’t affiliated with either party. The commission oversees Ohio’s campaign finance laws and the complaints or referrals regarding them.

Under the new GOP plan, the commission will be replaced with a five-member body housed within the Secretary of State’s office called the Ohio Election Integrity Commission. The majority and minority leaders in both chambers of the state legislature would each appoint someone to the new commission, with the secretary of state filling the chairman seat on the board. This means that all seats will be filled by partisan elected officials; currently, Republicans would get the advantage.

The GOP has held the secretary of state’s office since 2011, with now U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R) and current Secretary Frank LaRose (R) each winning consecutive terms. LaRose is ineligible for reelection in 2026 due to term limits, but he has called for reforming the Ohio Elections Commission this year.



https://heartlandsignal.com/2025/06/19/ohio-gop-looking-to-oust-nonpartisan-campaign-finance-oversight-agency/