Ohio Politics Explained podcast: Will Ramaswamy rise in polls after first GOP debate?

Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy was under fire from all sides of the Republican presidential debate stage this week. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost rejected the wording of a redistricting amendment, and rural students returned to schools with armed staff.

We break down what it all means in this week's episode of Ohio Politics Explained. A podcast by the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau that catches you up on the state's political news in 15 minutes or less.

This week, host Anna Staver was joined by reporter Jessie Balmert.

Vivek Ramaswamy under fire

Ramaswamy, a political unknown a year ago, became the epicenter of the first Republican debate on Wednesday.

The Cincinnati-born biotech investor who lives near Columbus took a page from former President Donald Trump's playbook, characterizing himself as an outsider businessman who wasn't one of the "super PAC puppets."

"If you have a broken car, you don't turn over the keys to the people who broke it again," Ramaswamy said.

More: Who is Vivek Ramaswamy? Ohio presidential candidate to take stage in first GOP debate

His rivals, however, tried to convince Republican primary voters that Ramaswamy lacked the experience needed to lead.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called him "a guy who sounds like ChatGPT standing up here." Former Vice President Mike Pence labeled him a "rookie." And former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley got a round of applause from the audience when she said Ramaswamy's opposition to aid for Ukraine would make America less safe.

Guns in schools

Ohio has authorized teachers and staff in 46 school districts to carry firearms, according to data from the Ohio Department of Safety.

The schools, both public and private, are predominately in rural parts of Ohio where police response times can be more than 20 minutes.

"We do not have a local police department, and in the event of an active shooter or armed intruder situation, we are at the mercy of these individuals until a sheriff’s deputy or Ohio State patrolman is dispatched," Hardin-Houston School District Superintendent Ryan Maier said in November 2021. "In our part of Ohio that could amount to at least 15 minutes and will most definitely result in deceased and/or injured students and staff members."

Redistricting redo

The group looking to change the way Ohio draws its district maps for Congress and the statehouse is going to have to try again.

Attorney General Dave Yost rejected the group's summary of their potential amendment. (The first hurdle Ohio has for getting a constitutional amendment before voters.)

"During our review of the summary, we identified omissions and misstatements that, as a whole, would mislead a potential signer as to the actual scope and effect of the proposed amendment," Yost wrote in a letter to backers of the citizen commission.

The proposed amendment, which could go on the November 2024 ballot, would take control over redistricting from a commission of state politicians and give it to a 15-member citizens commission.

More: Gov. DeWine wants to remove politicians from redistricting but hasn't endorsed new proposal

Most Republicans were quick to slam the idea, but Gov. Mike DeWine told reporters it should be considered.

"Look, I don't think the governor should be on there," DeWine told reporters last week. "I don't think the legislators should be on there either."

The group wanting to put the amendment before voters in 2024 says they will incorporate Yost's concerns into their next attempt.

Haslams, owners of Browns, Crew back Dolan for U.S. Senate

The owners of the Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew are supporting one of their own in the Republican primary to unseat U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in 2024.

Jimmy and Dee Haslam told donors they want state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, to be the GOP nominee and will serve as finance chairs for his campaign. They also plan to hold a fundraiser for him next month.

That's a big deal for Dolan, whose family owns the Cleveland Guardians, because Ohio's Senate race is going to be expensive. Democrats see Ohio as a must-protect seat if they want to keep their margin in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans think Brown is more vulnerable than ever.

Dolan is running against Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno in the GOP primary.

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: Ramaswamy dominates debate, 46 schools arm staff