Ohio Politics Explained podcast: Portman protects gay marriage, another redistricting redo

The Ohio Supreme Court rejected another Congressional map. Democrats say the attorney general should resign, and Congress moves forward with protections for gay marriage.

We break down what it all means on this week's episode of Ohio Politics Explained.

It's a podcast from the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau where we catch you up on the state's political news in 15 minutes or less. This week, host Anna Staver was joined by reporter Jessie Balmert.

1) Portman moves to protect gay marriage

Four Ohio Republican representatives voted with House Democrats to pass legislation Tuesday that would enshrine federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriage.

The bill has a more uncertain future in the U.S. Senate, but Ohio's Republican Sen. Rob Portman plans to co-sponsor it.

If passed, all marriages deemed valid by a state would be federally recognized.

2) Resignation rejected

Ohio Democrats called on Attorney General Dave Yost to resign over comments he made that cast doubt on the existence of the 10-year-old girl who traveled to Indiana for an abortion.

Yost then said the girl didn't need to leave Ohio for an abortion, but doctors and lawmakers disagreed with his assessment.

"The Ohio Democratic Party has such little faith in its candidate for attorney general that it is resorting to throwing hail Marys, which will be swatted down by Ohio voters," Yost campaign spokeswoman Amy Natoce said.

3) Two years after Householder's arrest

Former Ohio Speaker Larry Householder is still a free man two years after he was arrested on federal bribery and racketeering charges.

The FBI alleges that the  Perry County Republican accepted and spent millions of dollars in bribes from FirstEnergy in exchange for favorable legislation. Two other men pleaded guilty and another co-defendant died by suicide.

Householder pleaded not guilty along with Matt Borges, the former Ohio Republican Party chairman.

4) Another redistricting redo

Ohio's Supreme Court rejected the second Congressional map this week, calling it unconstitutional.

The map will be used for the November election because the court hadn't ruled by the May primary. This week's order directed Ohio lawmakers to draw a new map for 2024 within 30 days. If they don't, the Ohio Redistricting Commission will then get 30 days to draw one.

Editor's Note: Due to a reporter error, this article originally stated the number of rejected Congressional maps. 

Listen to "Ohio Politics Explained" on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts and TuneIn Radio. The episode is also available by clicking the link in this article.

The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau serves The Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio politics podcast: Sen. Rob Portman to protect gay marriage