Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine picked Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson to serve as state attorney general, starting June 7 when Republican Dave Yost steps down.
The Department of Public Safety employs 4,000 workers and has a $2.5 billion biannual budget.
After serving in the Ohio National Guard, Wilson started his legal career in 2002 as an assistant prosecutor in Clark County, specializing in crimes against children. He was later appointed to and then elected as Clark County prosecutor. He joined the DeWine administration in January 2019 as a special advisor for criminal justice issues.
Wilson was a star prosecutor in the fall 2022 Pike County massacre trial of George Wagner IV. Even though he joined the case late, as No. 2 to Special Prosecutor Angela Canepa, he handled several key witnesses in the trial. He also made the closing statement, offering a dramatic recap of the case and assigning two of the murders to George’s father, George “Billy” Wagner III, still awaiting trial.
Under the Ohio Constitution, the governor appoints people to vacancies in statewide elected offices.
Yost leaving June 7 to join Alliance Defending Freedom
Yost is joining Alliance Defending Freedom as its vice president for strategic research and innovation, according to a May 7 news release from the organization.
Alliance Defending Freedom has fought against transgender rights and advocated for private school vouchers and wedding industry businesses that deny same-sex couples services. The group was instrumental in overturning the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade.
Yost took over as attorney general in 2019. His plan to run for governor this year was cut short after Ohio Republicans and President Donald Trump coalesced around entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, effectively ending the GOP primary.
Yost is the only sitting statewide Republican − aside from DeWine − who isn’t running for another office.
In the attorney general’s race in November, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, a Republican who has held elected offices for decades, will face off against Democrat John Kulewicz, a former partner at Voyrs, Sater, Seymore and Pease.
This story will be updated.
State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: DeWine picks Public Safety Director Andy Wilson as attorney general
Reporting by Laura A. Bischoff and Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer / The Columbus Dispatch
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