The future of Ohio's death penalty could be decided by the state's next governor, as major candidates for the office are split on whether executions should resume. Governor Mike DeWine has maintained a moratorium on executions since 2018, but the upcoming election places the issue before voters.
Democratic candidate Amy Acton stated she would continue the moratorium if elected. Acton cited problems within the death penalty system as her reason for maintaining the pause. She pointed to a reported botched execution in Tennessee, where an inmate reportedly survived two doses intended to be lethal, as an example of these systemic issues. Instead of capital punishment, Acton supports life in prison without the possibility of parole for individuals convicted of heinous crimes.
In contrast, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has expressed his intention to restart executions. Speaking at a Columbus Metropolitan Club event last week, Ramaswamy indicated he would resume capital punishment in rare instances involving the most egregious crimes, provided the facts and legal circumstances are fully established. Ramaswamy also noted that Ohio should learn from problems observed in Tennessee. He suggested the state consider alternative execution methods, emphasizing that any chosen method must be ethically appropriate, scientifically sound, effective, and swift.
Libertarian candidate Don Kissick and his running mate, James Mills, also oppose the death penalty. Mills specifically argued against granting the government the power to make an irreversible decision about someone’s life. He stated that individuals can be held accountable for serious crimes without facing execution.
Governor DeWine has overseen the state's extended pause on executions, which has been in place since 2018. He has increasingly criticized the capital punishment system, stating it no longer serves its intended purpose. DeWine has also asserted that the system costs the state hundreds of millions of dollars. In June, DeWine said, "I no longer believe the death penalty is a deterrent to murder," and added that the moral justification he once saw for capital punishment no longer exists.
DeWine has highlighted the protracted legal process for victims’ families as a significant concern. He has also pointed out that a dozen people sentenced to death in Ohio have been exonerated. DeWine has advocated for lawmakers to implement a complete ban on capital punishment; however, Republican leaders in the Ohio House have rejected this proposed approach.
This divergence among gubernatorial candidates on the future of capital punishment places Ohio’s death penalty policy directly among the issues voters will consider in the upcoming governor's race. The state's next administration will ultimately decide whether the current pause on executions continues or if capital punishment resumes in Ohio.
