Why a Republican governor wants to end the death penalty

In a significant shift, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday that Ohio should abolish the death penalty. The 79-year-old governor, who helped draft the state's capital punishment law 45 years ago, confirmed his change of heart after spending seven years repeatedly postponing executions.

A Reversal of Perspective

DeWine explained that his belief in the death penalty as a moral imperative was predicated on its ability to deter violent crime—a theory he no longer supports. "I do not believe that argument today can be successfully made, nor do I believe that there’s any chance in the future the facts that I’ve cited to support that belief will change," DeWine stated. "Therefore, I believe Ohio should abolish the death penalty."

To support his position, the governor presented data illustrating the rarity of executions and the excessive duration of legal appeals. He highlighted that condemned inmates are increasingly likely to die of natural causes or suicide while awaiting their fate, noting that the likelihood of an execution occurring has become "more and more and more remote" over the decades.

Legislative Hurdles and Shifting Views

Despite the governor's stance, a legislative repeal faces an uphill climb. Republican House Speaker Matt Huffman previously signaled strong opposition to such a move, though the Catholic Conference of Ohio has publicly praised DeWine's decision, citing the dignity of human life. Meanwhile, Republican State Auditor Keith Faber, who is running to succeed former Attorney General Dave Yost, criticized the governor, arguing that the law should be utilized rather than abandoned.

DeWine has maintained an unofficial moratorium on executions throughout his term, primarily due to difficulties in obtaining lethal injection drugs. In January 2025, President Donald Trump ordered federal assistance to help states resolve drug supply issues, but state officials have struggled to find a path forward.

A National Trend

Ohio joins a growing list of states reconsidering the practice. While some officials, such as legal director Kent Scheidegger of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, argue that the system could be fixed with enough political will, others point to the state's recent history. Ohio has not performed an execution since July 18, 2018, when Robert Van Hook was executed. Currently, there are 30 executions scheduled by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction over the next four years, though DeWine has expressed his expectation that no further executions will occur during his tenure.

The movement toward abolition has already gained traction in states like New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia, and Oregon. Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, who oversaw 24 executions during his time in office, has voiced his support for DeWine, stating that a legislative repeal is in the best interest of the people of Ohio.