The Ohio Democratic Party is losing its leader ahead of the 2026 election, saying that she is planning on taking a job at a Democratic political data firm in Washington, D.C., and announcing that a meeting will be held in June to pick a successor, making room for a red wave in 2026.

For context, Liz Walters, who has been the Ohio Democratic Party chair since 2021, has stepped down as of May 6, 2025, saying that she expects a candidate to replace her will be selected on June 10 of this year. Walters’ resignation comes a year before Ohioans will choose a successor to Gov. Mike DeWine, who is not eligible for re-election.

In an interview with Signal Cleveland, Walters explained that her next step was to enter the private sector, adding that she had “both professional and personal” reasons why “this is the right move for me.” Furthermore, Walters explained further in a May 6, 2025, post on X, saying, “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.”

Following the resignation announcement from Walters, she was commended in Signal Cleveland by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), one of Walters’ most prominent supporters. Sen. Brown, who espouses a progressive, left-wing agenda, told Signal Cleveland, “I’m grateful to Chairwoman Walters for her service to Ohio Democrats over the past four and a half years.”

Continuing, Sen. Brown painted a clear picture of Walters’ work, saying, “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.”

Concluding, Brown, who lost his last election to Trump-backed Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno, said, “I’m grateful for [Walters’] work throughout two very challenging election cycles, and while I’ll miss her leadership at the state party.” He added, “I’m looking forward to seeing how she continues to serve our state.”

In addition, according to coverage from the Statehouse News Bureau, Sen. Bill DeMora (D-OH) said that he was determined to become Walters’ successor, saying, “I think right now the party is looking for somebody to fight for them.” He added, “I mean 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.”

Furthermore, DeMora said that he believes that he has proven himself “here in the Senate, of all of the stuff I’ve taken on.” He added, “I’m not afraid to muddy the waters. 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,”

Featured image credit: Elizabeth Walters via X