Leadership

Former President of Youngstown State University and Ohio State football head coach Jim Tressel has been confirmed as Ohio’s next Lt. Governor.

Tressel, who was nominated by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine earlier this week, fills the vacancy left by Senator Jon Husted, who was appointed by DeWine late last year. The OMA praised Tressel’s nomination in a statement, highlighting his extensive experience in workforce development.

Tressel, 72, retired as president of Youngstown State University in 2023. He spent 10 years as head football coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes, winning the national championship in 2002.

DeWine and Tressel sat down with 10TV after the nomination to discuss their priorities over the next two years, including growing Ohio’s workforce and educating students. 2/12/2025

In what is being called a game of “musical chairs,” candidates are shifting and relaunching their campaigns for various statewide cabinet positions in Ohio.

As reported last week, Treasurer Robert Sprague bowed out of Ohio’s gubernatorial race, aiming to become Ohio’s next Secretary of State. This week, former State Senator Niraj Antani followed suit, suspending his campaign for Ohio’s chief elections officer and relaunching for state treasurer. He will be challenged by State Senator Kristina Roegner, who announced her bid for treasurer early Thursday morning.

Vivek Ramaswamy, while having yet to formally announce his campaign for governor, raked in another endorsement from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who is running for state auditor in 2026.

The OMA will cover these shifts and more at the Government Affairs Committee on Feb. 27, featuring Senate President Rob McColley and Office of Budget and Management Director Kimberly Murnieks. 2/12/2025

This week, the state legislature authorized a 15-year extension of JobsOhio’s franchise over the state’s liquor enterprise, recognizing its critical role in fostering manufacturing growth.

The OMA advocated to support the move, noting that JobsOhio has been instrumental in attracting major manufacturing investments, providing workforce training, and supporting site development. This extension ensures JobsOhio’s long-term financial stability, allowing Ohio to remain competitive in securing high-impact industrial projects and strengthening its position as a manufacturing leader. 2/12/2025

On January 30, 2025, the Eighth District Court of Appeals issued the first appellate court decision involving the noneconomic damage caps applicable to medical malpractice claims. The noneconomic damage cap statute at issue has been on the books since 2003 and is one of the most important pillars of tort reform.

In a case involving cataract surgery and loss of vision, the court of appeals held that the $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages was unconstitutional under the “due course of law” clause in the Ohio Constitution, allowing the plaintiff to recover $1.48M in noneconomic damages. The case is likely to be appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court.  2/12/2025

Last month, the OMA’s Lindsey Short, who also chairs the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice, along with Tiger Joyce, president of the American Tort Reform Association co-authored an op-ed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer praising the 2024 Ohio Supreme Court decision that public nuisance law does not apply to product liability.

In the piece, Short and Joyce point out that profit-motivated trial lawyers have pushed to expand laws originally intended to address issues involving land use and public spaces into various industries, including pharmaceuticals, PFAS, vaping, and even climate change, creating a legal free-for-all ultimately benefiting only themselves. 2/12/2025

Over the last several weeks, the OMA has released the dates for the 2025 Committee Meetings.

Members — like you — work together through OMA policy committees to establish the OMA’s agenda, which guides the organization’s work with the General Assembly, regulatory agencies, workforce, and the judiciary.

The OMA’s policy committee meetings are where members articulate obstacles and create strategies to improve Ohio manufacturing competitiveness.

You don’t have to attend a meeting to be involved. However, these meetings provide another way to boost your engagement in Ohio’s manufacturing community and interact with decision-makers whose actions impact your business. There is no additional cost to join OMA policy committees.

You can register for OMA’s 2025 policy committee meetings from this web page. We look forward to seeing you soon! 2/5/2025

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is surveying industry leaders to assess the potential effects of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. manufacturing operations. OMA members are encouraged to participate in this survey and support NAM’s federal advocacy efforts by providing accurate data to inform national policymakers.

This topic will also be addressed at OMA’s Feb. 27 Government Affairs Committee meeting, featuring key Ohio policymakers, with an exclusive OMA PAC Manufacturers’ Evening Dinner the night before offering direct engagement with House Speaker Matt Huffman. 2/5/2025

Earlier this week, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced the suspension of his campaign for Governor in 2026, instead shifting his sights on Secretary of State.

Sprague, largely considered an underdog against Attorney General Dave Yost and Vivek Ramaswamy, endorsed the latter candidate in a video on the social platform X, citing a vision for a “renaissance for Ohio.”

Jai Chabria, a senior strategist for Ramaswamy’s campaign, said that Sprague’s announcement is “the tip of the iceberg” and to expect more endorsements in the coming days.

Ohio’s current Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, announced Thursday morning his candidacy for Auditor of State via a video on YouTube.

Learn more about these developments at the OMA’s Government Affairs Committee on Thurs. Feb. 27th featuring Senate President Rob McColley and Office of Budget and Management Director Kimberly Murnieks. 2/5/2025

Mahomes vs. Hurts,Taylor Swift vs. Rocky Balboa, Midwest vs. East Coast. Who will bring home the Lombardi trophy in the penultimate game of the NFL season?

No matter the outcome, neither team wins without a piece of Ohio manufacturing. Every snap, throw, kick, and touchdown this Sunday will be done with a football handmade by Wilson Sporting Goods, right here in Ohio. 2/5/2025

Candidates for Ohio’s Gubernatorial and Executive Cabinet elections have begun launching their campaigns, setting the stage for competitive and crowded primary elections.

Attorney General Dave Yost, who teased his campaigns in late 2024 on the social platform X, officially announced his campaign for Governor last week. Yost was the first major candidate to announce his campaign after Governor Mike DeWine appointed then-Lt. Governor Jon Husted to Ohio’s vacant U.S. Senate seat.

Former presidential candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy plans to announce a bid for governor in mid-February. Ramaswamy this week announced that two top political advisers of Vice President JD Vance had joined his team, all but confirming his bid to run in 2026.

Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague is also expected to announce his campaign soon.

Amy Acton, the former head of Ohio’s health agency, still remains the sole Democrat to challenge Republicans for governor in 2026.

Ohio Auditor Keith Faber announced his bid this week for Attorney General, Ohio’s top law enforcement official. Niraj Antani, a former state senator and representative from Dayton, also launched his campaign for Secretary of State at the start of the week. 1/29/2024

Over the weekend, Ohio manufacturers traveled to Washington D.C. to observe and celebrate the inauguration of the President and Vice-President of the United States.

Throughout the weekend manufacturers were joined by a litany of Ohio’s congressional delegation, members of Ohio’s executive and legislative branch, and U.S. Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, who outlined their priorities in the Senate to put Ohio first in D.C.

Thank you to all the members and sponsors, including Google, who joined the OMA team and made this weekend a success! A full gallery of pictures is now available to view and download. 1/20/2024

Last Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the appointment of Lt. Governor Jon Husted as Ohio’s next U.S. Senator, filling the seat vacated by Vice-President JD Vance. Husted was officially sworn in on Tuesday after the inauguration, making him the first Senator from Ohio sworn in by an Ohioan Vice-President.

Husted term will run until 2026 where he is expected to run to retain the seat 1/21/2024

While THE Ohio Manufacturers’ Association was in Washington D.C. celebrating key wins for Ohio, THE Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game of the College Football Playoffs.

The Buckeyes capped off a historic season, winning the first ever title in the expanded College Football Playoff, and becoming the first team in history to beat five AP top-five opponents in one season. 1/20/2024

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly encouraging venture capitalist and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to take the appointment of the vacant Ohio Senate seat by Governor Mike DeWine.

Ramaswamy, who had previously withdrawn his name several months back, is rumored to be a frontrunner for the position, vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance last week, along with Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted.

With the Presidential Inauguration only days away, it is expected that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will announce his appointment any day now. 1/16/2024

Anduril, a defense technology company, this week announced plans for a $900 million, 5 million square foot autonomous weapons manufacturing facility named “Arsenal 1.”

“This investment will have a resounding impact on Ohio’s economy, not just in job creation, but across the manufacturing supply chain,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger in a statement.

The facility is expected to create over 4,000 new jobs and generate more than $2 billion in annual economic output according to the state. 1/16/2024

Former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton this week announced her bid for governor, making her the first Democratic challenger to enter the race.

Acton, as Governor DeWine’s Director of Health, became a household name in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, launched her official bid Tuesday, citing that “…I think we all know it’s time for a change.”

Acton is one of several candidates seeking Ohio’s highest office. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced his intention to run with a short video on the social media platform X last November. Both he and Lt. Governor Jon Husted filed paperwork in 2024 to prepare to run in 2026.

Other speculated candidates include former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, Treasurer Robert Sprague, and 2024 presidential candidate/entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ohio’s 2026 Gubernatorial race will be covered extensively at the OMA’s first Government Affairs Committee of the year on Feb. 27. 1/6/2024

While touring manufacturer company General Tool in Reading this week, WLWT this week pressed Ohio’s Lt. Governor Jon Husted on the growing reports that he is the frontrunner to replace U.S. Senator J.D. Vance.

Governor Mike DeWine may appoint anyone to the vacancy. No official announcement has been made from the Governor, but an announcement is expected soon following Vance’s resignation from the United States Senate days prior to his inauguration as Donald Trump’s Vice President on Jan. 20. 1/9/2024

This week, Ohio’s 136th General Assembly officially launched, with both chambers electing leadership without controversy.

Speaker of the House Matt Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley were both officially elected to lead their respective chambers, avoiding the drama of January of 2023 when then Speaker-hopeful Derek Merrin was ousted by Jason Stephens with help from Democrats.

Both Huffman and McColley highlighted similar priorities for their leadership terms, including addressing rising property taxes; further regulating recreational marijuana, and focusing on energy independence through fracking. 1/6/2024

The Ohio House and Senate have jointly released the session schedule for the first half of 2025. Lawmakers will hold numerous sessions between now and the end of June.

The two-year state budget bill which funds state operations from July 2025 through, June 2027 must be approved by June 30. The budget will be unveiled by Governor DeWine before Feb. 3.

OMA staff will be monitoring the thousands of law changes tucked into the omnibus legislation. Plan to attend the OMA Government Affairs Committee and the OMA Tax & Finance committees to follow the myriad of policy changes affecting Ohio’s manufacturing business environment. 1/9/2024

2024 was a banner year for the OMA! From hosting our first ever Washington, D.C. fly-in, to assembling leaders in manufacturing and state government for a phenomenal Leadership Forum, and expanding the OMA’s influence and advocacy across Ohio. Thank you to members who attended events, committees, webinars, and engaged as a community.

Happy Holidays, and onward to 2025! 12/18/2024