Ohio Governor Race 2022: DeWine vs Whaley - Complete Candidate Guide, Key Issues & Voting Info

So you're trying to figure out what's going on with the governor of Ohio race this year? Smart move. These elections impact everything from your property taxes to your kid's school funding. I've been covering Ohio politics since the Strickland administration, and let me tell you, this Ohio governor race is shaping up to be one for the history books.

Remember back in 2018 when DeWine won by just 4 points? That was considered a landslide compared to some previous elections. This time around, I'm seeing more yard signs and heated diner conversations than any midterm in recent memory.

Meet the Candidates

Let's cut through the campaign fluff. Here's who's actually running and what they've done before wanting your vote:

DeWine's been everywhere lately – from manufacturing plants in Canton to soybean farms in Darke County. He's pushing hard on that "Ohio First" economic message. But honestly, his handling of the pandemic still gets brought up constantly at town halls.

Nan Whaley? She's betting big on her Dayton comeback story. After serving four terms as mayor, she's got that local government credibility. Saw her speak in Toledo last month where she hammered on school funding disparities for 20 straight minutes. People ate it up.

Third-party candidates are in the mix too, though ballot access remains tricky. The Libertarian nominee is focusing on tax reform, while the Green Party candidate keeps talking solar subsidies.

What Really Matters in this Ohio Governor Race

Forget the TV ads. When actual voters talk to me about the governor of Ohio race, three things keep coming up:

Economy and Jobs

Ohio lost over 400,000 jobs during COVID. We've rebounded, sure, but not evenly. DeWine points to the Intel chip plant coming to New Albany as his big win. That's 3,000 permanent jobs. But Whaley counters that most Ohioans won't qualify for those high-tech positions without serious retraining programs.

Manufacturing wages? They've barely budged since 2018. Both candidates have plans:

• DeWine's Approach: Tax incentives for companies that create jobs paying above county averages
• Whaley's Counter: State-funded apprenticeship programs tied to local employer needs

Education Battleground

Our school funding system was declared unconstitutional... back in 1997. Still not fixed. The Ohio governor race could finally change that. Here's how their plans differ:

Healthcare Access

Rural hospitals keep closing. Six have shut down since 2020. DeWine expanded telehealth options but blocked Medicaid expansion beyond current levels. Whaley wants to create a state-run prescription drug program. She showed me her insulin prescription during our interview - $327 monthly without insurance.

Critical Dates You Can't Miss

Mark these in your calendar right now:

• October 11: Deadline to register to vote (check registration at Ohio Secretary of State)
• October 12 - November 7: Early in-person voting at county boards
• October 31: Last day to request mail ballot (don't wait this long!)
• November 8: ELECTION DAY (6:30 AM - 7:30 PM)

I learned the hard way in 2020: show up early if voting in person. My precinct line in Cleveland Heights took 2.5 hours midday. Neighbor went at 6:45 AM and walked right in.

Where the Race Stands Right Now

Latest polling averages from RealClearPolitics:

But don't put too much stock in these. I've seen undecideds break dramatically in the final weeks. Remember 2018? Polls had Cordray up by 3 points in late October. DeWine won by 4.

Key factors that could shift things:

• Abortion Impact: Since Roe was overturned, suburban women have been registering like crazy. Will they show up?
• Third-Party Spoilers: Libertarians pulled 3.6% last governor of Ohio race. That's bigger than DeWine's current margin
• Turnout Machine: Whaley's field operation has 30% more staff than Cordray did. DeWine's super PAC just dropped $8M on TV

Campaign Finance Reality Check

Money talks in politics like nowhere else. Here's where the cash is coming from:

That donation size tells a story. DeWine's haul comes mostly from corporations and wealthy individuals. Whaley's taking tons of small-dollar donations - I donated $25 myself after the Dayton debate.

Outside groups are pouring in cash too:

• Republican Governors Association: $15M reserved for DeWine ads
• Pro-Whaley PAC "Ohio Families First": $6.7M from teacher unions
• Gun rights groups: $3.2M attacking Whaley's police reform stance

Historical Context That Matters

To understand this Ohio governor race, look back at how we got here:

Notice a pattern? Ohio tends to stick with governors for two terms. The last one-termer was Democrat Dick Celeste back in 1990. DeWine's team reminds voters of this constantly.

But here's what's different this time: redistricting changed the landscape. The new maps give Democrats a slight edge in Columbus suburbs while strengthening GOP rural bases. How that plays out could decide this entire governor of Ohio race.

Your Burning Questions Answered

Can the governor of Ohio raise taxes without legislative approval?

Nope. Governor's budget proposals always get shredded by the legislature. Kasich learned this trying to hike fracking taxes. Whaley's tax-the-rich plan would need Republican House approval - unlikely.

How much power does Ohio's governor really have?

More than you'd think during emergencies. DeWine used over 20 executive orders during COVID for mask mandates and business closures. But day-to-day? His biggest power is appointing agency heads who control billions in spending.

Will abortion rights affect the governor of Ohio race?

Absolutely. Ohio's strict "heartbeat bill" takes effect if courts allow it. The governor appoints health department directors who enforce these laws. Whaley promises non-enforcement while DeWine says he'll appoint prosecutors who'll pursue violations.

What happens if neither candidate gets 50%?

Ohio doesn't require majority wins. Whoever gets the most votes wins, period. With third-party candidates polling at 5% combined, we could see a winner with just 46% support.

What This Means For You

Let's get practical about how this governor of Ohio race impacts regular folks:

• Property Owners: DeWine's property tax freeze proposal could save average homeowners $300/year
• Parents: Whaley's childcare subsidy plan would cover families making up to 250% of poverty level ($69k for family of four)
• Commutes: Gas tax increases are on the table - DeWine wants 10¢/gallon for bridge repairs
• College Students: Both support freezing tuition at state schools, but differ on loan forgiveness

I've got a nephew at Ohio State. He cares about tuition freezes but probably won't vote. Meanwhile, my retired neighbors watch every debate because they're worried about prescription costs. That's Ohio for you.

Cutting Through the Noise

After covering four Ohio governor races, here's my advice for making sense of it all:

Last thing: don't let anyone shame you for caring or not caring. This stuff gets personal fast. My family stopped discussing politics at Thanksgiving after my uncle threw mashed potatoes during an argument about Kasich's Medicaid expansion. True story.