Chapter 13 – State Elections & Campaigning
13.6 Case Study: 2022 Gubernatorial Campaign
The 2022 Ohio gubernatorial campaign was a high-profile race that featured competitive primaries and a decisive general election.
In the Republican primary, incumbent Governor Mike DeWine faced challenges from more conservative candidates, including Jim Renacci, a former U.S. Representative. Despite criticism from within his party for his handling of COVID-19 policies, DeWine secured the Republican nomination with a commanding lead, thanks to his strong statewide network and moderate appeal.
On the Democratic side, former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley competed for the nomination. Whaley won the primary and became the first woman in Ohio’s history to lead a major party’s gubernatorial ticket. Her campaign focused on economic justice, abortion rights, and combating corruption in state government.
Watch this news report from WLWT in Cincinnati to learn how the candidates initially framed their general election campaign messages.
YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLg9i-elwHY
Duration: 2:41
In the general election, Governor DeWine won decisively, earning over 62% of the vote. His strong performance resulted from several factors, including his bipartisan appeal, widespread name recognition, and a record of economic growth and job creation. DeWine highlighted his leadership during the pandemic and focused on how he balanced public health measures with economic stability.
DeWine also benefited from running in a state that had shifted increasingly Republican over the past decade, as well as from a midterm election environment where an unpopular Democratic president hurt his opponent’s chances.
Whaley struggled to gain momentum, facing challenges from Ohio’s Republican-leaning electorate and a significant financial disadvantage compared to DeWine’s well-funded campaign.
Watch this election night news coverage from NBC4 in Columbus to gain insight into the results and the atmosphere of the evening.
YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7Fx_29gks
Duration: 3:15
The 2022 Ohio gubernatorial race highlights the dynamics of modern state elections, including the impact of party divisions, campaign messaging, and shifting voter demographics. It also underscores Governor DeWine’s ability to navigate a polarized political landscape and secure broad support in a state trending toward Republican dominance.
Fun Fact
The term gubernatorial comes from the Latin word gubernator, which means governor or steersman. It relates to the act of governing or steering. Over time, the term evolved in English to specifically describe things related to a governor, such as a gubernatorial election, which is an election to choose a state’s governor. While it might sound formal or unusual, it simply reflects the historical roots of the English language borrowing heavily from Latin.
