The Ohio Democratic Party is undergoing a major shakeup that has sent ripples through the state’s political landscape, setting the stage for what many are predicting will be a catastrophic election cycle for Democrats in 2026.
Liz Walters, who has served as chair of the Ohio Democratic Party since 2021, officially resigned on May 6, 2025, signaling a leadership vacuum in a critical swing state just as Republicans gear up for what looks to be a massive red wave.
Walters announced her decision to step down in both public statements and social media posts, revealing that she plans to transition to a position at a Democratic political data firm based in Washington, D.C.
Her departure leaves the party scrambling for new leadership at a time when Democrats in Ohio are already on the defensive following a series of electoral defeats and shifting political winds that favor the GOP.
Walters’ resignation did not come without reflection on her tenure. In an interview with Signal Cleveland, she cited “both professional and personal reasons” for her decision, describing her exit as “the right move for me.”
On X (formerly Twitter), Walters wrote, “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.” She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Ohio Democratic Party but made it clear that her chapter in state politics had come to a close.
Her resignation has intensified Democratic anxieties ahead of a pivotal election year. In 2026, Ohioans will head to the polls to elect a new governor to replace Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
The stakes are high, with Republicans sensing an opportunity not just to retain the governorship but to further solidify their dominance in a state that has increasingly trended red in recent years.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), one of Walters’ key allies, praised her leadership and service. Brown, a progressive stalwart in the Senate who recently lost his own re-election bid to Republican challenger and Trump-endorsed candidate Bernie Moreno, reflected on Walters’ accomplishments.
Speaking to Signal Cleveland, Brown said, “I’m grateful to Chairwoman Walters for her service to Ohio Democrats over the past four and a half years.
Whether it was beating back attempts to take power away from Ohio voters and hand it to politicians, enshrining abortion rights in our state constitution, or standing alongside our labor leaders as we fought for the Dignity of Work, Chair Walters has been a strong and effective advocate for working Ohioans.”
Despite the praise, the reality remains that Walters led the party through two grueling and ultimately unsuccessful election cycles. During her tenure, Ohio Democrats struggled to maintain relevance in a state that once stood as a national bellwether but has since tilted decisively toward the GOP.
The party’s inability to field competitive candidates statewide and its persistent challenges in appealing to working-class voters and suburban moderates have only deepened the sense of crisis.
The search for Walters’ successor is now underway, with a meeting scheduled for June 10 to select the new party chair. One candidate has already emerged as an eager contender: State Senator Bill DeMora (D-OH). In comments to the Statehouse News Bureau, DeMora made a forceful case for his candidacy, declaring, “I think right now the party is looking for somebody to fight for them.”
DeMora emphasized the need for combative leadership, asserting, “We need somebody who is not afraid to take on the battles, take on the Republicans, to call them out for their hypocrisy and to be vocal all of the time.”
DeMora’s pitch reflects a growing frustration among Ohio Democrats who feel their party has been too passive in the face of Republican gains. “I’m not afraid to muddy the waters,” DeMora continued.
“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.”
However, some within the party question whether aggressive rhetoric alone will be enough to reverse the party’s fortunes. The challenges facing Ohio Democrats are structural as much as they are strategic.
The GOP’s hold on the state has been buttressed by effective voter mobilization, strong support in rural areas, and cultural issues that have alienated parts of the traditional Democratic base.
Moreover, the looming 2026 gubernatorial race presents a daunting obstacle. Republicans are poised to mount a well-funded and highly organized campaign to retain the governor’s mansion.
The potential Republican field is already generating enthusiasm among the conservative base, while Democrats remain divided and disorganized in the wake of Walters’ departure.
The leadership vacuum at the state party level could not have come at a worse time. Democrats nationally are grappling with their own identity crisis, and in Ohio, the problem is exacerbated by a shrinking donor base, lackluster grassroots infrastructure, and an inability to craft a compelling message that resonates beyond urban centers like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
Adding to the party’s woes is the recent electoral defeat of Sherrod Brown, whose progressive platform and populist messaging had once made him one of the few Democrats capable of winning statewide in Ohio. Brown’s loss to Bernie Moreno, a staunch Trump ally, underscores the steep uphill battle Democrats face in regaining relevance in the Buckeye State.
For Republicans, the developments within the Ohio Democratic Party are seen as a golden opportunity. The GOP is already strategizing to capitalize on Democratic disarray, aiming to expand their legislative majorities and secure key statewide offices in 2026.
With Walters out and no clear Democratic successor yet established, the path for a Republican sweep is clearer than ever.
The national implications of Ohio’s political trajectory cannot be overstated. Once a critical swing state, Ohio has become a model of Republican resurgence, a trend that could foreshadow broader national shifts if Democrats fail to adapt.
The state’s evolving political landscape is also likely to influence strategies for the 2028 presidential election, as candidates from both parties recalibrate their approaches to states that were once battlegrounds but now lean more predictably Republican.
As the Ohio Democratic Party prepares for its June leadership meeting, the question remains whether any candidate can galvanize the fractured party apparatus and present a viable strategy to compete against the ascendant GOP.
DeMora’s candidacy may appeal to those yearning for a more aggressive posture, but whether he — or any potential leader — can translate that energy into electoral success remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Liz Walters transitions to her new role in Washington, D.C., leaving behind a party at a crossroads. Her legacy is a mixed one: praised for her advocacy and efforts to uphold voting rights and labor issues, but overshadowed by electoral setbacks and the persistent drift of Ohio toward Republican dominance.
The coming months will be critical for Ohio Democrats. With the 2026 election cycle approaching rapidly, the new party leadership will need to address both strategic and structural deficiencies if there is any hope of staving off another Republican wave. The stakes are high, and the consequences of continued failure could cement Ohio’s status as a reliably red state for years to come.
