Chapter 9 – The Governor & Other Executives
The governor is the most visible leader in Ohio state government. As the head of the executive branch, the governor is responsible for carrying out the laws passed by the General Assembly, proposing a budget, and setting priorities for the state.
But the governor does not act alone. Ohio has a plural executive, a system in which executive power is divided among several elected officials as opposed to concentrated entirely in the governor’s office.
Ohio voters elect six statewide executive officials:
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- Auditor of State
- Treasurer of State
The governor and lieutenant governor run together on the same ticket. The other four officials are elected separately. Each office has its own responsibilities and exercise authority independently of the governor.
This chapter begins with a look at the governor’s powers. We will then explore the other statewide elected executive offices and examine how checks and balances limit executive power. Along the way, we will examine case studies of Ohio leaders, including Mike DeWine and George Voinovich.
By the end of this chapter, you should have a clearer understanding of Ohio’s executive branch, who holds power, how officials are elected, and the responsibilities they carry.
Foundational Facts
Ohio’s executive branch is organized differently from the federal government’s executive branch.
Again, Ohio uses a plural executive, a system in which executive power is divided among several elected officials. The governor is the chief executive, but other officials, such as the attorney general and secretary of state, are elected independently and exercise powers that the governor does not directly control.
The federal government uses a unified executive, a system in which executive power is concentrated in one elected leader. The U.S. Constitution places executive power in the president. Unlike Ohio’s statewide executive officials, federal officials such as the U.S. attorney general and secretary of state are appointed by the president, with Senate confirmation, rather than elected by voters. They serve under the president’s authority.
The key difference: Ohio divides executive authority among several elected officials. The federal government concentrates executive authority in the presidency. In both systems, executive power is limited by the legislative and judicial branches.
