Overview
- The Supreme Court denied Samuel Ronan’s emergency request to rejoin the Republican primary ballot with no noted dissents and no explanation.
- Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose removed Ronan after a county board tied on a voter’s challenge that pointed to Ronan’s posts urging Democrats to run as Republicans.
- A federal judge and the Sixth Circuit declined to reinstate him, ruling that Ohio can require a sincere party switch because his statements undercut his sworn GOP affiliation.
- State officials told the justices that restoring Ronan now would upend an election already underway, and they pointed to an option for him to run as an independent.
- Ronan, an Air Force veteran who sought to face Rep. Mike Carey, argued the move punished his political speech, while the state said the rule guards primaries against party raiding.