Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday that he believes the state should abolish the death penalty, marking a major reversal from the position he held for most of his 50‑year career in public service. DeWine said new data and long‑term trends show that capital punishment no longer functions as a deterrent to violent crime, which he once viewed as its primary moral justification.

Speaking at a news conference in Columbus, DeWine said the evidence no longer supports the idea that executions prevent murder. He pointed to the steep decline in executions over the past four decades, the lengthy appeals process, and the increasing likelihood that individuals sentenced to death will never be executed. “Even if the murderer is caught, indicted, convicted and sentenced to death, the odds are still pretty good they’re not going to be executed,” he said.

According to data DeWine presented, the last 10 people executed in Ohio spent between 14 and 32 years on death row. Since 1981, 56 individuals sentenced to death have been executed, while 41 died of natural causes or suicide, and 89 had their sentences removed through judicial action. DeWine said these delays and outcomes undermine any potential deterrent effect.

DeWine also noted that the number of new death sentences in Ohio has dropped sharply over time. In the 1980s, the state averaged more than 14 death sentences per year; in recent years, that number has fallen to fewer than one annually.

The governor emphasized that he has not authorized an execution since taking office, citing ongoing difficulties obtaining the drugs required for lethal injection. He has repeatedly postponed scheduled executions during his tenure.

While DeWine’s announcement represents a significant shift, it is unclear whether the Republican‑controlled General Assembly will act on his request. House Speaker Matt Huffman said he disagrees with the governor’s conclusion and would oppose efforts to eliminate capital punishment.

DeWine said he believes lawmakers should either repeal the death penalty or allow Ohio voters to decide the issue directly. He acknowledged that some victims’ families support executions, while others oppose them for moral or religious reasons.

The governor said his position has evolved gradually over decades of experience as a county prosecutor, state legislator, member of Congress, attorney general, and governor. He said the data now clearly shows that the death penalty no longer serves the purpose he once believed it did.