In a crushing blow for the left, the Ohio Democratic Party has lost its chair ahead of the 2026 midterm election, making room for a major red wave just a year before Ohioans will choose a successor to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is not eligible for re-election based on term limits.
For background, Liz Walters, chair of the Ohio Democratic Party since 2021, announced on May 6, 2025, that she was resigning to take a job at a Democratic political data firm in Washington, D.C.. Moreover, on June 10, 2025, former state Rep. Kathleen Clyde was reportedly selected to be Walters’ replacement.
In an interview with Signal Cleveland, Walters explained that she was leaving her position to enter the private sector for “both professional and personal reasons,” calling it “the right move for me.” She later added on X, “Making the decision to leave was not easy. It has been an honor, and a true vocation, to serve as the Chair of the Party that I love in the state I call home.”
After Walters announced her retirement, she was commended by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who supported the party chair for years. Sen. Brown told Signal Cleveland, “I’m grateful to Chairwoman Walters for her service to Ohio Democrats over the past four and a half years.” The senator went on to describe Walters as a champion of progressive issues, including “enshrining abortion rights in our state constitution.”
Furthermore, Brown, who lost his most recent election to Trump-backed Republican candidate Sen. Bernie Moreno, said, “I’m grateful for [Walters’] work throughout two very challenging election cycles, and while I’ll miss her leadership at the state party, “I’m looking forward to seeing how she continues to serve our state.”
Additionally, on June 10, 2025, The Columbus Dispatch reported that former State Rep. Kathleen Clyde had been selected to be the new party chair. Ahead of her election, Clyde reportedly said, “Democrats need to unify around a message that shows what these harmful policies coming out of Washington and the statehouse mean for our economy, our health care, social security.”
In addition, Clyde said that she is “confident” in the ability of her party to “come together as Democrats and focus on the work ahead of turning the state around and winning at all levels of government for the working people and putting the needs of Ohioans first.” However, Clyde was not the only one vying for the position; Sen. Bill DeMora also previously said that he was determined to succeed Walters.
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Speaking to the Statehouse News Bureau, Sen. DeMora said that he was a proven pick for the role because of his work “here in the Senate, of all of the stuff I’ve taken on.” He added, “I’m not afraid to muddy the waters. I’m not afraid to take on battles of anybody. I think of all of the rallies we are having and all of the people who are clamoring for somebody to speak for them – I can do that.”
Featured image credit: Elizabeth Walters via X