Politics is messy. The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau is here to break through the noise.
Our team of reporters works to equip you with information you need at the ballot box and help you understand how the actions of politicians affect your life. We’re based in Columbus, but our mission is to serve Ohioans in every corner of the state, from Cincinnati to Akron and Zanesville to Coshocton.
We pledge to hold your elected officials accountable, monitor how your taxpayer dollars are spent, and correct the record when misinformation is rampant. Ohio is your home, and it’s ours. We’re committed to bringing you impactful journalism to help make this state the best it can be.
What is the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau?
We write for the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal, Canton Repository, Newark Advocate and 16 other Gannett-owned newspapers across Ohio. Click here for the full list of publications we serve.
An important note: We’re not USA TODAY. Gannett owns USA TODAY and our Ohio newspapers, hence the name for our team. That means we sometimes collaborate or exchange stories. But first and foremost, we are Ohio reporters covering Ohio for our local newspapers.
Who is on our team?
Reporter: Jessie BalmertReporter: Haley BeMillerReporter: Laura BischoffBureau chief: Anthony Shoemaker
Why do you focus more on Republicans than Democrats in state news coverage?
Republicans control the Legislature, as well as the governor’s mansion and other statewide offices. That means they often drive key decisions in Ohio. It’s our responsibility to examine the actions of leaders in both parties and hold them accountable, but you’ll see more stories about GOP leaders because of the power they wield in state government.
How do you decide what to report?
Our primary goal is to show how the government is or is not working for Ohioans. That means we’re looking for impact: Whether tax legislation will affect your pocketbook, what abortion policy means for patients, how youth prisons are failing children and taxpayers. We also think you deserve to know if elected officials abuse their power, such as when former House Speaker Larry Householder orchestrated the state’s largest public corruption scheme.
When we see misinformation, we will provide context without amplifying falsehoods.
What we won’t cover: Controversy for the sake of controversy. Minor legislation with no noticeable impact or little chance of becoming law. We also won’t report every turn of the screw. We respect your time and strive to bring you the most important, interesting news from the statehouse.
What elections will you cover in 2024?
Our priority is Ohio campaigns and issues. That means you can expect comprehensive coverage on Ohio’s U.S. Senate race, key congressional and statehouse races, and any statewide issues that make the ballot. (Advocates hope to put redistricting reform and a minimum wage increase before voters in November 2024, but that isn’t final yet.)
At the same time, we can’t and won’t ignore the presidential race. The bureau or our local papers will cover visits by the Republican and Democratic nominees. We will also examine how the presidential race affects Ohio and talk with voters about what is − or isn’t − motivating them to head to the polls.
What will your election coverage look like?
Our reporting will go beyond horse race coverage, driven in part by voters’ interests. We will focus on the issues that matter most to Ohioans and demand answers from candidates about how they will address them. You will see some stories on the mechanics and politics of campaigns, such as how much money they raise, but we strive to make voter-centric coverage the highest priority.
We may reference polls in stories to inform readers, as we do with other data and research. But we don’t write stories exclusively about polls unless they’re conducted in partnership with our news organization.
We also know there will be enhanced scrutiny on the election process itself. This will be the first presidential election since 2020, when false claims of widespread fraud dominated the discussion. Ohio has also enacted several changes to its voting laws since then.
With that in mind, we plan to provide information on how to vote and answer questions about the state’s election processes. This will include publishing facts and context should misinformation begin to spread.
Reach out to us
Do you have questions about our team or what we cover? Is there a story you think we’re missing? We want to hear from you. Please email USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker at [email protected].
