State of Ohio Archives: on Jobs
Joe Schiavoni:
Protect collective bargaining rights
As Governor, Joe Schiavoni will protect
collective bargaining rights to ensure workers get paid a decent wage and are protected on the job.
Source: 2018 Ohio Governor website JoeForOhio.com
Aug 17, 2017
Joe Schiavoni:
Raise minimum wage
Raise the minimum wage to give more workers
the ability to support their families;
Source: 2018 Ohio Governor website JoeForOhio.com
Aug 17, 2017
Jim Renacci:
No increase in federal minimum wage from $7.25/hr to $10.10
Q: Raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hr?Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. Phase in increase to $15.
Jim Renacci (R): Likely No. Rejected 2013 increase to $10.10.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Joe Biden:
We value working class; Republicans value privileged class
We believe there are clear, stark differences between us and our opponents and what's at stake for the middle class. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich--these guys have a fundamentally different economic philosophy than we do.
Our philosophy is one that values the workers in the success of a business. It values the middle class and the success of our economy.Simply stated, we're about promoting the private sector, they're about protecting the privileged sector.
We are for a fair shot and a fair shake. They're about no rules, no risks, and no accountability.
There's no clearer example of these two different views of the economy than how we reacted to the crisis in the automobile industry.
It's sort of a cautionary tale of how they would run the government again and the economy again if given a chance.
Source: Automotive Industry speech in Toledo Ohio
Mar 15, 2012
John Kasich:
No strikes allowed for public employees
Gov. Kasich passed collective bargaining reform legislation that outlawed strikes for public employees, banned arbitration, implemented merit pay for teachers, and gave cities and school boards greater flexibility. Thousands of union activists stormed
the Ohio state capital to protest the changes about the same time as the protests in WI.One big difference between our bill and the bill in Ohio was that we exempted firefighters and police officers from our collective bargaining reforms. Kasich had
not. This allowed the unions to cast Kasich as an enemy of public safety.
Kasich never got a chance to implement his reforms. Kasich's opponents simply needed to gather 230,000 signatures to trigger a referendum. By July 2011, they had gathered
1.3 million. That meant his reform law was immediately suspended and put on the ballot, where it was repealed before the changes could take effect. Ohio voters never got an opportunity to see whether or not the reforms had worked as Kasich promised.
Source: Unintimidated (Walker), p.156-7, on Ohio Voting Record SB5
Nov 18, 2013
John Kasich:
No local vote on $15 minimum wage; keep $8.10
Kasich signed legislation blocking next year's special election vote on whether to raise Cleveland's minimum wage to $15 per hour. Senate Bill 331 prohibits communities in the state from raising the minimum wage beyond the state's minimum wage rate,
currently set at $8.10 per hour. State lawmakers passed the bill earlier this month at the request of Cleveland city officials.Raise Up Cleveland, the group sponsoring the proposal with the backing of the Service Employees International Union,
had aimed to get a $15-per-hour minimum wage proposal on the November ballot. But Cleveland City Council held months of contentious hearings on the proposal, and the issue narrowly missed that ballot deadline, buying city officials and other opponents
more time to try to quash the measure.
Proponents of a minimum-wage hike have said it would help the local economy by putting more money in the hands of poorer Clevelanders who are likely to spend it. Kasich signed the bill without comment.
Source: Plain Dealer on Ohio legislative records: Senate Bill 331
Dec 19, 2016
Lee Fisher:
OpEd: In charge of job creation when Ohio lost 400,000 jobs
Fisher said Portman is responsible for the national recession due to his policies as budget director for former President George W. Bush. Portman says Fisher was in charge of job creation in Columbus when
Ohio lost 400,000 jobs.A big moment came when Fisher evoked the name of legendary Buckeye coach Woody Hayes when talking about saving jobs at plants like
Cooper Tire in Findlay. "It means that we're going down that field, just like Woody Hayes did. Three yards and a cloud of dust, and we are not giving up," he said.
Portman responded by saying, "I think it's an insult to Woody Hayes' incredible record at Ohio State to somehow compare him to what's happening in Ohio the last four years. It hasn't been a successful game. We've been losing the game."
Source: WTOL-11 coverage of 2010 Ohio Senate debate
Oct 5, 2010
Lee Fisher:
Incentive for Ohio jobs rather than breaks for jobs overseas
Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.1% in August, placing it among the 10 states with the highest rates in the country. "People all around the state are mad," Fisher said. "They are mad as hell that we're giving tax breaks to large companies that send jobs
overseas, but not giving tax breaks to companies that put their jobs right here."Portman said the high unemployment rate is creating a "brain drain" for Ohio. "Ohio is falling behind," he said. "We're losing businesses to other states. Some of the bes
and brightest young people in Ohio are leaving our state."
Fisher sought to deflect Portman's criticism that he wasn't personally involved in the effort to save jobs. He said you do so "one job at a time, one business at a time." He cited successful
efforts to save jobs in his work with Gov. Strickland.
Portman said he is committed to direct involvement to save and create jobs and highlighted a recent encounter with an unemployed Cleveland mother looking for work.
Source: Business Week coverage of 2010 Ohio Senate debate
Oct 8, 2010
Mike DeWine:
Let states decide on minimum wage
Q: Raise the minimum wage?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Fight to raise Ohio minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. Will go to voters if needed.
Mike DeWine (R): Undecided. Says he's "`open to taking a look at' whether the
question should go to voters." As US Senator increased to $7.25 when coupled with increased cap on estate tax. As Attorney General opposed Ohio cities' enacting minimum wage higher than the state's.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Mike DeWine:
State can create job opportunities for disabled
Even though the economy is going well, many Ohioans still struggle. We have a shocking number of our fellow citizens with disabilities who are unemployed or grossly underemployed. This is wrong.
And so, we are going to invest more resources into initiatives that increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. We are going to help businesses in Ohio through enhanced opportunity zones.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Ohio legislature
Mar 5, 2019
Mike Gibbons:
Opposes affirmative action hiring
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Legally require hiring more women/minorities"?
A: Strongly oppose
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Ohio Senate candidate
Apr 24, 2018
Richard Cordray:
Endorsed by unions: Give control back to workers
Big labor took sides in the battle for the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor, endorsing former federal consumer watchdog and AG Richard Cordray. "For years, leaders in Columbus have launched an ideological attack on the working men and women of
Ohio and their ability to collectively bargain for good wages and safe workplace conditions," Mr. Cordray said. "That's wrong, and it has to stop. Betty Sutton and I will make it a point to put state government back on the side of the middle class."
Source: Toledo Blade on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Mar 6, 2018
Richard Cordray:
No right-to-work law (keep mandated union dues)
Q: Enact right-to-work law, eliminating the right of unions to mandate dues for workers they represent?
Richard Cordray (D): No.
Mike DeWine (R): "Should be decided by Ohio voters."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Richard Cordray:
Raise minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025
Q: Raise the minimum wage?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Fight to raise Ohio minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. Will go to voters if needed.
Mike DeWine (R): Undecided. Says he's "`open to taking a look at' whether the
question should go to voters." As US Senator increased to $7.25 when coupled with increased cap on estate tax. As Attorney General opposed Ohio cities' enacting minimum wage higher than the state's.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Rob Portman:
High unemployment rate creates Ohio brain drain
Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.1% in August, placing it among the 10 states with the highest rates in the country. "People all around the state are mad," Fisher said. "They are mad as hell that we're giving tax breaks to large companies that send jobs
overseas, but not giving tax breaks to companies that put their jobs right here."Portman said the high unemployment rate is creating a "brain drain" for Ohio. "Ohio is falling behind," he said. "We're losing businesses to other states. Some of the bes
and brightest young people in Ohio are leaving our state."
Fisher sought to deflect Portman's criticism that he wasn't personally involved in the effort to save jobs. He said you do so "one job at a time, one business at a time." He cited successful
efforts to save jobs in his work with Gov. Strickland.
Portman said he is committed to direct involvement to save and create jobs and highlighted a recent encounter with an unemployed Cleveland mother looking for work.
Source: Business Week coverage of 2010 Ohio Senate debate
Oct 8, 2010
Sherrod Brown:
Increase federal minimum wage from $7.25/hr to $15
Q: Raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hr?Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. Phase in increase to $15.
Jim Renacci (R): Likely No. Rejected 2013 increase to $10.10.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tim Ryan:
My experience is focusing on workers and their families
[On partisanship]: "My experience has been just focusing on the workers, their families, the issues that are important to them, recognizing how hard they are working and still not getting by and getting ahead,"
Ryan told CNN. "That is what people are going to vote for.""They don't care what political party you are with," he added. "They want to know who you are for."
Source: CNN News on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Apr 26, 2021
Tim Ryan:
It can't be businesses versus workers; this is a partnership
[On pandemic recovery] "Right now our workers need a game plan. We're competing with countries around the world for jobs. So in my mind, there's nothing more patriotic than investing in our team, our people, our workers," Ryan emphasizes.
And he stresses that "it can't be businesses versus workers. This is a partnership. But that partnership needs to be redesigned. We have to cut workers in on the deal. I will work with anyone to rebuild our economy but I'll never sell out our workers."
Source: Fox News on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Apr 26, 2021
JD Vance:
Raising minimum wage to $15 is solution from the 1960s
Minimum Wage: Keep or raise federal minimum from $7.25 per hour? If raise, how much?- Tim Ryan (D): Yes. Voted for a 2019 bill to gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025. But that's only a
minimum: "It's time to cut workers in on the deal and pay them more."
- J.D. Vance (R): No recent position found. In 2016 called a $15 minimum wage a Democrat "solution from the 1960s," and "a medicine worse than the disease."
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2022 Ohio Senate race
Nov 1, 2022
Bernie Moreno:
UAW is holding car companies hostage
Labor : Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?- Sherrod Brown (D): Easier. Joined the picket line with striking UAW workers. Introduced the PRO Act to protect workers' right to unionize.
-
Bernie Moreno (R): Mostly harder. "Some private sector unions are good at creating high-paying jobs," but sees the UAW as "holding car companies hostage." Parents are upset because "teachers unions are in charge of schools."
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Bernie Moreno:
Minimum wage is never intended to be a livable wage
Minimum Wage : Raise federal minimum from $7.25/hr?- Sherrod Brown (D): Yes. In 2021 sponsored a bill to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025.
- Bernie Moreno (R): No. "Minimum wage is never intended to be a livable wage." "The market should set wages."
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Sherrod Brown:
Introduced PRO Act: protect workers' right to unionize
Labor : Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?- Sherrod Brown (D): Easier. Joined the picket line with striking UAW workers. Introduced the PRO Act to protect workers' right to unionize.
Introduced a bill protecting U.S. Senate staff's rights to organize.
- Bernie Moreno (R): Mostly harder. "Some private sector unions are good at creating high-paying jobs," but sees the UAW as "holding car companies hostage."
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Ohio Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Mike DeWine:
Encourage employers to hire ex-offenders after incarceration
That is why we are encouraging Ohio employers to hire those re-entering the workforce after incarceration. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction releases about 18,000 people back into society each year.
It is in everyone's best interest to get them into the workforce, which is why we are proactively preparing inmates for re-entry through specialized job training for Ohio's most in-demand industries.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature
Mar 12, 2025
Bernie Moreno:
Americans want to work, not be dependent on government
We must pursue policies that will lead to more (and better) jobs for Ohio's workers. That is why we need to make sure our workforce is properly equipped with the skills it needs to ensure that every worker can succeed.
We also need to get people back to work. Now. Policy makers wanted people to stay home and avoid the workplace during the pandemic, so they paid people to do so.
This work disincentive will harm our workers in the long-term because when the stimulus unemployment benefits run out, displaced workers will have a
harder time on a new job, as they will have lost valuable skills during their time away from work. Americans do not want to be dependent on government; they want to work and provide for their families.
Source: Ballotpedia Candidate Connection on 2024 Ohio Senate race
Nov 9, 2021
Amy Acton:
Expand workforce development and skills training
Across government, I will focus on supporting small businesses, advancing regional economic development, expanding workforce development & skills training, and investing in the modern infrastructure we need to compete, from broadband to transportation.
Most importantly, when our state makes investments, we must ensure those investments lead to good jobs for Ohio workers, instead of simply padding the bottom lines of big out-of-state corporations.
Source: 2026 Ohio Governor campaign website ActonForGovernor.com
Dec 31, 2025
Amy Acton:
Stand up for workers' and union rights at every turn
I will stand up for workers' rights and union rights at every turn. From combating constant Senate Bill 5-style efforts to attack unions and collective bargaining rights, to taking on wage theft that costs
workers billions of dollars, to keeping right-to-work out of Ohio, to expanding worker training and apprenticeship programs in the state, I will be a steadfast pro-union, pro-worker Governor.
Source: 2026 Ohio Governor campaign website ActonForGovernor.com
Dec 31, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026