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Ohio Governor Urges Death Penalty Repeal, Senate Bill Moves

6/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Governor Mike DeWine urged Ohio lawmakers to repeal the death penalty and said voters could decide if they do not act.
He cited that only 56 of 337 sentenced since 1982 have been executed, most wait over two decades, and 109 remain on death row as of June 15, 2026.
Opposition to repeal came from House Speaker Matt Huffman, while a bipartisan Senate group introduced Senate Bill 134 to end the death penalty.

History

Historical Context

Illinois halted executions when Gov. George Ryan imposed a moratorium in 2000 and, on Jan 11 2003, commuted all 167 death-row sentences, paving the way for Gov. Pat Quinn’s 2011 law that abolished capital punishment. Inspired by that precedent, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in 2024 urged repeal, noting only 56 of 337 sentenced since 1982 have been executed and 109 remain on death row.

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Story summary

Governor Mike DeWine urged Ohio lawmakers to repeal the death penalty and said voters could decide if they do not act.
He cited that only 56 of 337 sentenced since 1982 have been executed, most wait over two decades, and 109 remain on death row as of June 15, 2026.
Opposition to repeal came from House Speaker Matt Huffman, while a bipartisan Senate group introduced Senate Bill 134 to end the death penalty.

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