Mike Thompson

Snollygoster

Snollygoster takes an in-depth look at politics in Ohio. Each week we dig into the top political stories in Columbus and Ohio and explore national stories that impact the state by talking with politicians, reporters and other news-makers. (In case you're wondering, a "snollygoster" is a shrewd and unprincipled politician.)Listen to Snollygoster on the WOSU Public Media mobile app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Author

Mike Thompson

Category

Government

Podcast website

www.wosu.org

Latest episode

Jul 1, 2026

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Episodes

Debate over releasing the Epstein Files ends 20.11.2025

President Trump campaigned on releasing the Epstein files and then refused to do so. He tried hard to persuade Congress to drop its demand to release them, but he failed. Then, the president reversed course and told Republicans in Congress to vote to release the files.

Lessons from Democrats’ success in the fall election 13.11.2025

To examine the implications of the Democrats’ wins and look at how Ohioans voted on higher taxes for government services, we welcome our panel of experts: Statehouse reporters Laura Bischoff, of the USA Today Ohio Bureau, and Jo Ingles, of Ohio Public Radio, as well as Democrat Jo Mas and Republican Mike Miller.

Ohio's new congressional map: Who's happy? 06.11.2025

For those of us tired of talking about redistricting, we’re happy. The Ohio Redistricting Commission has approved a bipartisan map and the issue appears settled for six years. But we might be the only ones who are happy.

Bowling Green State University poll indicates Trump approval slipping in Ohio 30.10.2025

We have a good snapshot of how Ohio voters are feeling, a year out from the election that will decide the governor’s office and Congress. Bowling Green State University is out with its latest poll.

From property to paycheck: Ohio’s tax shift debate 24.10.2025

For homeowners worried about skyrocketing property tax bills, a radical solution is gaining traction, but experts warn that abolishing these taxes could cause Ohio's income tax to increase drastically.

Shutdown continues with no end in sight 09.10.2025

There’s no sign of a compromise in the government shutdown. Democrats in the Senate are blocking a funding bill, demanding that Republicans agree to reverse looming Medicaid cuts and extend Obamacare health insurance subsidies.

Politics and a Pint and a government shutdown 03.10.2025

It’s a Politics and a Pint edition of Snollygoster. As we did in August, we gathered about 200 of our closest friends at Seventh Son Brewing in Columbus, where we talked politics while enjoying craft beers.

Free speech concerns stoked as Nexstar and Sinclair continue Jimmy Kimmel boycott 25.09.2025

The murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk fueled a lot of hyperbolic rhetoric and some serious consequences.

Finding a way forward after Kirk assassination 18.09.2025

It has been more than a week since an assassin shot and killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. President Trump and Vice President Vance have implied the violence was the result of far-left rhetoric, and they promise to crack down on liberal groups.

Ohio's map makeover 13.09.2025

Lawmakers have begun the arduous process of drawing congressional districts for Ohio. Ohio Democrats did not support the two congressional maps passed four years ago. Because of that, the state’s constitution requires lawmakers to draw new ones this year. Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn joins the show.

Politics and a Pint 28.08.2025

In this episode, we revisit last week’s Politics and a Pint event held at Seventh Son Brewing in Columbus.

Sen. Jon Husted will face Sherrod Brown in the race to keep his seat 21.08.2025

With a campaign video and email early Monday morning, the former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown announced he will take on Senator Jon Husted next year.

What Sherrod Brown's Senate run means for Ohio politics 14.08.2025

Brown is going to run for the U.S. Senate, the place he walked out of just eight months ago after losing a re-election bid to Republican Bernie Moreno.

Ohio to redraw congressional districts 07.08.2025

The drama over legislative district mapmaking isn’t limited to Texas, where Republicans and Democrats are in a standoff over efforts to redraw lines. Once again, Ohio lawmakers are drawing legislative districts.

Congressman Jim Jordan deposed in ongoing Ohio State University sex abuse lawsuit 24.07.2025

There have been major developments in the ongoing lawsuit against Ohio State University by sexual assault victims of former OSU team doctor Richard Strauss.

Lawmakers in search of property tax solution 17.07.2025

Ohio is in the early stages of a major fight over property taxes. Thanks largely to rapidly rising home values, property taxes have jumped on average about 25–30% in recent years. Homeowners are mad, especially those on fixed incomes who have no plans to move and cash in on their home’s equity.

Is Columbus ready for the growth? 10.07.2025

Once labeled a cow-town, known mainly for its college football team, Columbus is asserting itself as a major regional and national city and the growth projections are kind of startling. But is Columbus ready?

DeWine signs budget with 67 line-item vetoes 03.07.2025

Gov. DeWine signed the biennial budget into law and made 67 line-item vetoes. He nixed a plan to allow counties to reduce property taxes if school districts had a lot of money in their savings accounts. But the richest Ohioans get a 20% income tax cut.

What’s up with Ohio Democrats? 19.06.2025

The Ohio Democratic Party has a new chair. Amy Acton is building a campaign to run for Ohio governor. And everyone is waiting for Sherrod Brown to announce his plans.

New budget plan would cut taxes for Ohioans making more than $100K annually 12.06.2025

The third version of the state budget is out, and it proposes cutting taxes for any Ohioan making more than $100,000 a year. The State Senate would do that by flattening the state income tax.

Ohio lawmakers explore income tax cuts as property taxes rise 29.05.2025

Taxes have come to dominate the political debate in Washington, and they loom as a growing concern at the Ohio Statehouse.

A shakeup in the Republican race for Ohio governor 22.05.2025

Attorney General Dave Yost has dropped out of the campaign for governor. Yost said his steep climb to the nomination had become a vertical cliff. For now, Vivek Ramaswamy’s path to the Republican nomination for governor looks clear.

Majority of Ohioans anticipate negative impact from tariffs, poll reveals 08.05.2025

A panel of experts breaks down President Trump's falling approval numbers in polls and the uncertainty over tariffs.

New poll shows decline in Trump approval among Ohio voters 01.05.2025

A new poll shows Trump has a 47% approval rating while 48% disapprove—a statistical tie—but that number is down 7 points from February. The poll’s co-director, Bowling Green State University political science professor Robert Alexander, joins the show.

Public financing for professional sports facilities 17.04.2025

The Browns are looking to move to a new domed stadium in suburban Cleveland. And state lawmakers seem eager to help. The governor wants to tax sports betting companies and use the money to help the Browns and other teams. The Ohio House wants the state to borrow $600 million to just help the Browns. Kennesaw State University economics professor J.C. Bradbury joins the show.

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