About Mike DeWine, Who Has Called for an End to the Death Penalty

Her best friend, kids were murdered. She hopes lawmakers ignore DeWine's change of heart on the death penalty.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has had a change of heart on the death penalty, urging lawmakers to abolish capital punishment. The best friend of murder victims is begging politicians not to listen.This story contains details that may be disturbing and upsetting to some viewers and readers."You wake up every morning, and the person is not there," Rhonda Whitelock said during an interview Wednesday. "There's nothing."Whitelock survives the day through hop…

Key Ohio officeholders, 2026 candidates break with DeWine on death penalty

COLUMBUS, Ohio—While Gov. Mike DeWine has come out against capital punishment, Ohioans holding or running for key offices to shape the future of the state’s death penalty support keeping it, if not moving to resume executions after DeWine leaves office next year.

About Mike DeWine, who has called for an end to the death penalty

DeWine’s support for a policy change is far from assured to make waves, even in a state controlled by his own party.

DeWine’s Call to End Death Penalty Signals Growing Bipartisan Shift in Ohio and Beyond

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a reversal of his position on capital punishment, advocating for its abolition due to its demonstrated ineffectiveness as a deterrent and its adverse impact on correctional personnel and the families of homicide victims.