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Election 2014

Attorney General of Ohio

November 4, 2014 · general election · 2 candidates with a page

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The candidates

Listed alphabetically by surname. Ohio rotates the order candidates appear in by precinct, so no order on this page is the order on a ballot.

Mike DeWine

Mike DeWine

Republican · Governor of Ohio, since 2019

  • Served as Greene County, Ohio prosecuting attorney, 1977 to 1981.
  • Represented Ohio in the U.S. House, 1983-1991, and the U.S. Senate, 1995-2007; served as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, 1991-1994.
  • B.S. in education, Miami University, 1969; J.D., Ohio Northern University College of Law, 1972.

10 of 11 sections researched · 61 sources

David Pepper

David Pepper

Democratic · Former Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners, 2007–2011

  • Attorney specializing in commercial litigation at the law firm Blank Rome in Cincinnati.
  • Has taught voting rights at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
  • Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, January 2015 to December 2020.

9 of 11 sections researched · 13 sources

Mike DeWine

Coverage, by section10 of 11 sections researched.Profile: 11 entriesOn the ballot: 0 entriesWhere they stand: 13 entriesWhat they have said, checked: None found in the records checkedRecord in office: 24 entriesMoney: 15 entriesFinancial interests: 6 entriesPolling and approval: 4 entriesElections: 7 entriesEndorsements: 1 entrySources: 67 entries10 of 11 sections researched · 61 sources
Coverage, by section10 of 11 sections researched.Source: Cracked Buckeye coverage record for Mike DeWine, 10 of 11 sections researched · as of 2026-09-24 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
SectionState
profileresearched
ballotresearched
positionsresearched
claimsnone found
recordresearched
moneyresearched
interestsresearched
pollingresearched
electionsresearched
endorsementsresearched
sourcesresearched

David Pepper

Coverage, by section9 of 11 sections researched.Profile: 9 entriesOn the ballot: 0 entriesWhere they stand: 3 entriesWhat they have said, checked: None found in the records checkedRecord in office: 4 entriesMoney: 2 entriesFinancial interests: 1 entryPolling and approval: 1 entryElections: 2 entriesEndorsements: Not yet researchedSources: 10 entries9 of 11 sections researched · 13 sources
Coverage, by section9 of 11 sections researched.Source: Cracked Buckeye coverage record for David Pepper, 9 of 11 sections researched · as of 2026-09-25 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
SectionState
profileresearched
ballotresearched
positionsresearched
claimsnone found
recordresearched
moneyresearched
interestsresearched
pollingresearched
electionsresearched
endorsementsnot researched
sourcesresearched

The race in pictures

Polls, Attorney General of Ohio, as published2 field dates from August 20, 2014 to October 22, 2014; the latest has Pepper at 39.0%25%50%75%100%Sep 2014OctNovElection dayMike DeWine 60% - Tarrance Group (Ohio Republican Party internal poll), 2014-08-20 - likely votersDavid Pepper 39% - Columbus Dispatch Poll, 2014-10-22 - likely votersField date
Polls, Attorney General of Ohio, as published2 field dates from August 20, 2014 to October 22, 2014; the latest has Pepper at 39.Source: Cracked Buckeye poll log for Attorney General of Ohio, 2 polls, as published by Columbus Dispatch Poll and 1 other pollster · as of 2014-10-22 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Field dateCandidateSharePoll
Aug 20, 2014Mike DeWine60Tarrance Group (Ohio Republican Party internal poll), likely voters
Oct 22, 2014David Pepper39Columbus Dispatch Poll, likely voters
Money, raised, spent and cash on hand, as filedRaised, as filed: DeWine $7.8M, Pepper $5.8M; as of April 3, 2015.RaisedDeWine (R)Mike DeWine: raised $7.8M as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State, as of 2015-04-03$7.8MPepper (D)David Pepper: raised $5.8M as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State, as of 2015-04-03$5.8MSpentDeWine (R)Mike DeWine: spent not yet researchedNot yet researchedPepper (D)David Pepper: spent not yet researchedNot yet researchedCash on handDeWine (R)Mike DeWine: cash on hand not yet researchedNot yet researchedPepper (D)David Pepper: cash on hand not yet researchedNot yet researched
Money, raised, spent and cash on hand, as filedRaised, as filed: DeWine $7.8M, Pepper $5.8M; as of April 3, 2015.Source: Ohio Secretary of State campaign finance filings · as of 2015-04-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
GroupItemUSDNote
RaisedDeWine (R)7,825,691
RaisedPepper (D)5,771,103
SpentDeWine (R)Not yet researched
SpentPepper (D)Not yet researched
Cash on handDeWine (R)Not yet researched
Cash on handPepper (D)Not yet researched

A note on our coverage

Read before the columns: where one candidate has more entries than another, this says which of the two reasons it is.

Donors: 1 for Mike DeWine and 0 for David Pepper. The gap is in our research, not in them.

Endorsements received: Mike DeWine has 1 entry and David Pepper has 0 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.

Where they stand: Mike DeWine has 13 entries and David Pepper has 3 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.

Mike DeWine's record in office has 24 entries and David Pepper's has 4. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.

Sources: Mike DeWine has 67 entries and David Pepper has 10 entries. The difference reflects the length of each public record and the depth of our research; it is not a judgment.

Jump to a candidate

Where they stand

Their own words, by issue, with the date, the venue and the link. A paraphrase is marked as one.

Consumer protection

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Campaigned on continuing his first-term Economic Crimes Unit and new telecommunications-fraud subpoena authority against scam artists targeting Ohioans, including the elderly.

2014 · 2014 campaign, per the research archive

Source: Ohio Attorney General election, 2014

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Criminal justice

Mike DeWine

currently delays of up to six months

August 9, 2010 · 2010 campaign, per PolitiFact

Source: GOP challenger Mike DeWine says BCI tests delayed 'up to 6 months' under Cordray

David Pepper

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Called on the Attorney General's office to expand its Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative by enlisting qualified regional crime labs, including one in Hamilton County, rather than relying solely on the state lab, pledging to clear the existing backlog within 150 days of taking office.

May 2014 · 2014 campaign, per Fox19

Source: Rape kit testing becoming political debate

Economic development

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Touted his administration's economic-development record as governor, above all landing Intel's $20 billion semiconductor factory near Columbus, along with other large manufacturing investment (Honda, Ford), as proof of job creation.

2022 · Campaign record, per Ballotpedia

Source: ballotpedia.org

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Embryonic stem-cell research

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Opposed expanded federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, framed around protecting embryos, contrasting with Brown's support for expanding it.

2006 · 2006 Senate campaign

Source: en.wikipedia.org

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Government efficiency

Mike DeWine

None found in the records checked

David Pepper

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Positioned himself as a reformer who would bring "outsider," business-minded fiscal management to the Auditor's office, emphasizing his record cutting Hamilton County's general fund while balancing budgets for 2009 and 2010 during the recession.

2010 · 2010 campaign, per the research archive

Source: David Pepper

Government ethics

Mike DeWine

None found in the records checked

David Pepper

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Charged that DeWine's office had steered lucrative state debt-collection work to firms and individuals who made large campaign contributions, including firms that gave shortly before or after applying for panel work.

July 2014 · 2014 campaign, per Dayton Daily News

Source: Pepper says DeWine rigged bid for friend

Guns

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

In the aftermath of the Columbine shooting, supported closing the 'gun show loophole' -- voting to require background checks on firearms purchases at gun shows and opposing efforts to loosen gun-show licensing restrictions, a moderate-for-his-party position he made part of his 2000 re-election record.

2000 · 1999 Senate vote, carried into the 2000 campaign

Source: ohiocapitaljournal.com

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Health care

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

On health care backed Medicare modernization including a prescription-drug benefit for seniors.

2000 · 2000 campaign

Source: ontheissues.org

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Iraq War

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Argued U.S. forces should stay in Iraq 'until the Iraqis are able to secure their own country,' rejecting Brown's call for a withdrawal timetable.

2006 · Campaign appearances and debates, per NPR

Source: npr.org

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Medicaid expansion

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

After years opposing the ACA and Medicaid expansion as attorney general and initially calling expansion 'financially unsustainable' while proposing a federal-waiver 'third way,' announced in July 2018 that a DeWine-Husted administration would keep the expanded Medicaid coverage, citing its role in addiction treatment.

July 2018 · 2018 campaign, per PolitiFact

Source: politifact.com

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

After years opposing the ACA and Medicaid expansion as attorney general and initially calling expansion 'financially unsustainable' while proposing a federal-waiver 'third way,' announced in July 2018 that a DeWine-Husted administration would keep the expanded Medicaid coverage, citing its role in addiction treatment.

July 2018 · 2018 campaign, per PolitiFact

Source: politifact.com

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Opioid crisis

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

A 12-point plan on the opioid crisis: create a Cabinet-level position for the issue, expand drug courts to every county, increase drug-trafficking task forces, add prevention education at every school grade level, and direct money recovered from his office's lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors toward treatment.

2018 · 2018 campaign platform, per the research archive

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

A 12-point plan on the opioid crisis: create a Cabinet-level position for the issue, expand drug courts to every county, increase drug-trafficking task forces, add prevention education at every school grade level, and direct money recovered from his office's lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors toward treatment.

2018 · 2018 campaign platform, per the research archive

Source: en.wikipedia.org

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Sports betting

Mike DeWine

What I did not anticipate — and I should have — is the massive, massive amount of money that these gambling companies would come in … and they flood the airways

May 26, 2026 · Interview with Ohio Capital Journal

Source: ohiocapitaljournal.com

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Taxes

Mike DeWine

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Highlighted tax cuts he signed as governor: budgets cutting Ohio income taxes by a cumulative $2.2 billion, eliminating the state income tax for filers earning up to $25,000, and cutting the top income-tax bracket, eliminated entirely in the 2021 budget.

2022 · Campaign record, per Ballotpedia

Source: ballotpedia.org

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

What they have said, checked

Newest first. Each check is shown in the checker's own rating word, with their name, the date and the link.

Mike DeWine

None found in the records checked

David Pepper

None found in the records checked

Record in office

Dated actions. Any evaluation of an action is printed with the name of whoever made it and the link.

Record in office, dated entries, both candidates on one axis28 record entries from 1983 to 2022; 16 of them actions; 7 offices held on the record.1990200020102020DeWine (R)Governor of Ohio, 2019-01 to presentAttorney General of Ohio, 2011 to 2019Attorney General of Ohio, 2011 to 2019Attorney General of Ohio, 2011-01 to 2019-01Attorney General of Ohio, 2011-01 to 2019-011983 (bill): As a U.S. Representative and Senator, was the primary sponsor of 22 bills enacted into law, including the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Rest1995 (action): Served on the Senate Appropriations, Judiciary, Health/Education/Labor/Pensions (HELP) and Select Intelligence Committees during his first t1995 (vote): Voted against affirmative-action hiring requirements tied to federal funds (1995), a position that drew criticism from civil-rights and Demo1996 (vote): Voted for the 1996 federal welfare overhaul and related 1995-1996 welfare block-grant and state-waiver measures, a signature part of his fir1999 (vote): Rated 0% by NARAL Pro-Choice America for his voting record, reflecting a consistently anti-abortion-rights record including his 1999 vote fo2002-10 (vote): Voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, a vote that became a major political liability as the war gre2005 (action): One of seven Republican senators (with seven Democrats) who negotiated the 'Gang of 14' compromise preventing Senate Republican leadership f2006-07 (statement): His campaign ran an ad ('Weakening Security') claiming Brown 'voted to slash national intelligence programs' and opposed the death penalty f2006-07-20 (statement): His campaign ran a national-security ad depicting what it confirmed was a digitally altered 9/11 World Trade Center image; the ad was pulled2006-11 (action): Lost his 2006 U.S. Senate re-election bid to Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown by a wide margin, 56.16% to 43.82%, amid a national Democratic wa2013-07 (action): Announced his office would defend Ohio's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, appealed an adverse district-court ruling to the Sixth Cir2014 (action): As Attorney General, ran the Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative; by the 2014 campaign, 8,001 kits had been submitted statewide and 4,108 2014 (action): During the 2014 campaign, opponent David Pepper alleged a pattern in which law firms won a share of DeWine's debt-collection and special-cou2018 (action): Campaign received about $12,500 in contributions from donors tied to ECOT, the online charter school later found to have overstated enrollme2018 (action): Campaign received about $12,500 in contributions from donors tied to ECOT, the online charter school later found to have overstated enrollme2018-02 (action): As Attorney General, announced completion of Ohio's Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative: roughly 13,931 previously untested rape kits subm2018-02 (action): As Attorney General, filed suit against opioid distributors, following a 2017 suit against opioid manufacturers, over practices Ohio's filin2018-02 (action): As Attorney General, announced completion of Ohio's Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative: roughly 13,931 previously untested rape kits subm2018-02 (action): As Attorney General, filed suit against opioid distributors, following a 2017 suit against opioid manufacturers, over practices Ohio's filin2019-07 (bill): Signed House Bill 6, Ohio's nuclear and coal-plant subsidy law, in July 2019. Calendar and text records show he met repeatedly with FirstEne2021 (vote): As a Republican member of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, voted multiple times in 2021-2022 to approve congressional and state legislativ2022-03-15 (bill): Signed 2022 legislation eliminating the training and background-check requirement for concealed carry ('permitless carry') and removing Ohio2022-07 (action): Signed a law banning abortion around six weeks with no exceptions for rape or incest, which took effect after the June 2022 Dobbs decision; 2022-09 (statement): Refused to debate Democratic nominee Nan Whaley in the 2022 general election, arguing there was no need to debate given his lead in the pollPepper (D)Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners, 2007-01 to 2011-01Cincinnati City Council, 2001-11 to 20052002 (bill): As a Cincinnati city councilman, sponsored legislation directing the city to collect municipal income tax from visiting professional athlete2009 (action): As Hamilton County Commissioner, led a fiscal turnaround his campaign later cited as roughly $60 million in cuts while balancing county budg2009 (action): After voters rejected a proposed public-safety tax he backed, the county commission he led unanimously approved a 2009 budget resulting in 12010 (action): As Hamilton County Commissioner, part of a Board that adopted a framework in December 2009 to address a structural deficit in the county's s
Record in office, dated entries, both candidates on one axis28 record entries from 1983 to 2022; 16 of them actions; 7 offices held on the record.Source: Cracked Buckeye person record for DeWine (R) and Pepper (D), 28 dated entries · as of 2022-09 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
PersonDateKindEntry
DeWine (R)2019-01officeGovernor of Ohio
DeWine (R)2011officeAttorney General of Ohio
DeWine (R)2011officeAttorney General of Ohio
DeWine (R)2011-01officeAttorney General of Ohio
DeWine (R)2011-01officeAttorney General of Ohio
DeWine (R)1983bill1983 (bill): As a U.S. Representative and Senator, was the primary sponsor of 22 bills enacted into law, including the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Rest
DeWine (R)1995action1995 (action): Served on the Senate Appropriations, Judiciary, Health/Education/Labor/Pensions (HELP) and Select Intelligence Committees during his first t
DeWine (R)1995vote1995 (vote): Voted against affirmative-action hiring requirements tied to federal funds (1995), a position that drew criticism from civil-rights and Demo
DeWine (R)1996vote1996 (vote): Voted for the 1996 federal welfare overhaul and related 1995-1996 welfare block-grant and state-waiver measures, a signature part of his fir
DeWine (R)1999vote1999 (vote): Rated 0% by NARAL Pro-Choice America for his voting record, reflecting a consistently anti-abortion-rights record including his 1999 vote fo
DeWine (R)2002-10vote2002-10 (vote): Voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, a vote that became a major political liability as the war gre
DeWine (R)2005action2005 (action): One of seven Republican senators (with seven Democrats) who negotiated the 'Gang of 14' compromise preventing Senate Republican leadership f
DeWine (R)2006-07statement2006-07 (statement): His campaign ran an ad ('Weakening Security') claiming Brown 'voted to slash national intelligence programs' and opposed the death penalty f
DeWine (R)2006-07-20statement2006-07-20 (statement): His campaign ran a national-security ad depicting what it confirmed was a digitally altered 9/11 World Trade Center image; the ad was pulled
DeWine (R)2006-11action2006-11 (action): Lost his 2006 U.S. Senate re-election bid to Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown by a wide margin, 56.16% to 43.82%, amid a national Democratic wa
DeWine (R)2013-07action2013-07 (action): Announced his office would defend Ohio's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, appealed an adverse district-court ruling to the Sixth Cir
DeWine (R)2014action2014 (action): As Attorney General, ran the Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative; by the 2014 campaign, 8,001 kits had been submitted statewide and 4,108
DeWine (R)2014action2014 (action): During the 2014 campaign, opponent David Pepper alleged a pattern in which law firms won a share of DeWine's debt-collection and special-cou
DeWine (R)2018action2018 (action): Campaign received about $12,500 in contributions from donors tied to ECOT, the online charter school later found to have overstated enrollme
DeWine (R)2018action2018 (action): Campaign received about $12,500 in contributions from donors tied to ECOT, the online charter school later found to have overstated enrollme
DeWine (R)2018-02action2018-02 (action): As Attorney General, announced completion of Ohio's Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative: roughly 13,931 previously untested rape kits subm
DeWine (R)2018-02action2018-02 (action): As Attorney General, filed suit against opioid distributors, following a 2017 suit against opioid manufacturers, over practices Ohio's filin
DeWine (R)2018-02action2018-02 (action): As Attorney General, announced completion of Ohio's Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative: roughly 13,931 previously untested rape kits subm
DeWine (R)2018-02action2018-02 (action): As Attorney General, filed suit against opioid distributors, following a 2017 suit against opioid manufacturers, over practices Ohio's filin
DeWine (R)2019-07bill2019-07 (bill): Signed House Bill 6, Ohio's nuclear and coal-plant subsidy law, in July 2019. Calendar and text records show he met repeatedly with FirstEne
DeWine (R)2021vote2021 (vote): As a Republican member of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, voted multiple times in 2021-2022 to approve congressional and state legislativ
DeWine (R)2022-03-15bill2022-03-15 (bill): Signed 2022 legislation eliminating the training and background-check requirement for concealed carry ('permitless carry') and removing Ohio
DeWine (R)2022-07action2022-07 (action): Signed a law banning abortion around six weeks with no exceptions for rape or incest, which took effect after the June 2022 Dobbs decision;
DeWine (R)2022-09statement2022-09 (statement): Refused to debate Democratic nominee Nan Whaley in the 2022 general election, arguing there was no need to debate given his lead in the poll
Pepper (D)2007-01officeHamilton County Board of County Commissioners
Pepper (D)2001-11officeCincinnati City Council
Pepper (D)2002bill2002 (bill): As a Cincinnati city councilman, sponsored legislation directing the city to collect municipal income tax from visiting professional athlete
Pepper (D)2009action2009 (action): As Hamilton County Commissioner, led a fiscal turnaround his campaign later cited as roughly $60 million in cuts while balancing county budg
Pepper (D)2009action2009 (action): After voters rejected a proposed public-safety tax he backed, the county commission he led unanimously approved a 2009 budget resulting in 1
Pepper (D)2010action2010 (action): As Hamilton County Commissioner, part of a Board that adopted a framework in December 2009 to address a structural deficit in the county's s

Mike DeWine

  1. September 2022 · statement

    Refused to debate Democratic nominee Nan Whaley in the 2022 general election, arguing there was no need to debate given his lead in the polls, even as a Suffolk University poll found 84 percent of Ohio voters wanted to see statewide debates.

    Multiple Ohio editorial boards and commentators, per the Ohio Capital Journal and WVXU: Incredibly disappointing · the source

    Sources: ohiocapitaljournal.com · wvxu.org

  2. July 2022 · action

    Signed a law banning abortion around six weeks with no exceptions for rape or incest, which took effect after the June 2022 Dobbs decision; the Ohio Capital Journal reported on resulting cases, including a 10-year-old rape victim who had to leave the state for care.

    Sources: ohiocapitaljournal.com · ohiocapitaljournal.com

  3. March 15, 2022 · bill

    Signed 2022 legislation eliminating the training and background-check requirement for concealed carry ('permitless carry') and removing Ohioans' duty to retreat before using lethal force, after proposing tougher gun measures following the 2019 Dayton mass shooting.

    Nan Whaley and gun-safety advocates, per the Ohio Capital Journal: cowardly inaction · the source

    Source: ohiocapitaljournal.com

  4. 2021 · vote

    As a Republican member of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, voted multiple times in 2021-2022 to approve congressional and state legislative district maps that the Ohio Supreme Court repeatedly struck down, 4-3, as unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders.

    The Ohio Supreme Court, in case rulings summarized by Court News Ohio: unduly favored a political party in violation of the Ohio Constitution · the source

    Sources: courtnewsohio.gov · courtnewsohio.gov

  5. July 2019 · bill

    Signed House Bill 6, Ohio's nuclear and coal-plant subsidy law, in July 2019. Calendar and text records show he met repeatedly with FirstEnergy executives and then-House Speaker Larry Householder around the time the bill was crafted, and FirstEnergy secretly funneled about $2.5 million to help his 2018 campaign; DeWine says the money did not influence his decision to sign the bill.

    Source: ohiocapitaljournal.com

  6. February 2018 · action

    As Attorney General, filed suit against opioid distributors, following a 2017 suit against opioid manufacturers, over practices Ohio's filings said fueled the state's overdose crisis.

    Richard Cordray, June 4, 2018, per PolitiFact: Opioid deaths have tripled on his watch and there have been cuts to funds for first responders and people in the community fighting the crisis. · the source

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  7. February 2018 · action

    As Attorney General, filed suit against opioid distributors, following a 2017 suit against opioid manufacturers, over practices Ohio's filings said fueled the state's overdose crisis.

    Richard Cordray, June 4, 2018, per PolitiFact: Opioid deaths have tripled on his watch and there have been cuts to funds for first responders and people in the community fighting the crisis. · the source

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  8. February 2018 · action

    As Attorney General, announced completion of Ohio's Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative: roughly 13,931 previously untested rape kits submitted by local police departments were tested, resulting in the indictment of an estimated 700 alleged offenders and 8,617 DNA profiles uploaded to CODIS with 5,098 matches.

    Source: ohioattorneygeneral.gov

  9. February 2018 · action

    As Attorney General, announced completion of Ohio's Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative: roughly 13,931 previously untested rape kits submitted by local police departments were tested, resulting in the indictment of an estimated 700 alleged offenders and 8,617 DNA profiles uploaded to CODIS with 5,098 matches.

    Source: ohioattorneygeneral.gov

  10. 2018 · action

    Campaign received about $12,500 in contributions from donors tied to ECOT, the online charter school later found to have overstated enrollment; the contribution was donated to the Boys and Girls Club once the issue became public. DeWine's office had also filed a complaint in 2018 to recover public funds from individuals and companies tied to ECOT.

    Sources: politifact.com · daytondailynews.com

  11. 2018 · action

    Campaign received about $12,500 in contributions from donors tied to ECOT, the online charter school later found to have overstated enrollment; the contribution was donated to the Boys and Girls Club once the issue became public. DeWine's office had also filed a complaint in 2018 to recover public funds from individuals and companies tied to ECOT.

    Sources: politifact.com · daytondailynews.com

  12. 2014 · action

    During the 2014 campaign, opponent David Pepper alleged a pattern in which law firms won a share of DeWine's debt-collection and special-counsel work shortly after making large campaign contributions, tallying donations from firms later selected for the panel at $359,000 since 2010.

    DeWine's campaign, per the Washington Examiner: has no idea who contributes" [to his campaign] and "plenty of people gave money and didn't get work · the source

    Source: Four More Years of 'Pay-to-Play' if DeWine Returns as Ohio AG, Says Dem Challenger

  13. 2014 · action

    As Attorney General, ran the Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative; by the 2014 campaign, 8,001 kits had been submitted statewide and 4,108 tested, producing 1,474 CODIS database matches.

    Source: Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine Announces Completion of Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative

  14. July 2013 · action

    Announced his office would defend Ohio's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, appealed an adverse district-court ruling to the Sixth Circuit in January 2014, and, two days after his November 2014 re-election, won a Sixth Circuit ruling upholding the ban.

    Source: Ohio's brief in No. 14-556 (Obergefell v. Hodges)

  15. November 2006 · action

    Lost his 2006 U.S. Senate re-election bid to Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown by a wide margin, 56.16% to 43.82%, amid a national Democratic wave and Ohio Republican scandals; his job approval rating stood at about 38% going into that race.

    Source: Ohio's Sen. DeWine loses pivotal election

  16. July 20, 2006 · statement

    His campaign ran a national-security ad depicting what it confirmed was a digitally altered 9/11 World Trade Center image; the ad was pulled and replaced after the physical impossibility was flagged.

    U.S. News & World Report reporting, per UPI: Digitally altered still photo with smoke added, showing the undamaged South Tower smoking while the North Tower -- hit first in the real attack -- appeared intact. · the source

    Source: upi.com

  17. July 2006 · statement

    His campaign ran an ad ('Weakening Security') claiming Brown 'voted to slash national intelligence programs' and opposed the death penalty for terrorists.

    FactCheck.org, July 2006: Misleading -- the cited votes were on failed amendments from 1993-1997; Brown supported the final appropriations bills in nearly every instance. · the source

    Source: factcheck.org

  18. 2005 · action

    One of seven Republican senators (with seven Democrats) who negotiated the 'Gang of 14' compromise preventing Senate Republican leadership from eliminating the judicial filibuster via the 'nuclear option'; drew criticism from conservative activists and became a rallying point for his 2006 primary challengers.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  19. October 2002 · vote

    Voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, a vote that became a major political liability as the war grew increasingly unpopular through 2005-2006.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  20. 1999 · vote

    Rated 0% by NARAL Pro-Choice America for his voting record, reflecting a consistently anti-abortion-rights record including his 1999 vote for a ban on the procedure termed 'partial-birth' abortion in the bill's own title.

    NARAL Pro-Choice America: rated 0% · the source

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  21. 1996 · vote

    Voted for the 1996 federal welfare overhaul and related 1995-1996 welfare block-grant and state-waiver measures, a signature part of his first-term record and 2000 re-election platform.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  22. 1995 · vote

    Voted against affirmative-action hiring requirements tied to federal funds (1995), a position that drew criticism from civil-rights and Democratic-aligned groups.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  23. 1995 · action

    Served on the Senate Appropriations, Judiciary, Health/Education/Labor/Pensions (HELP) and Select Intelligence Committees during his first term -- the first Ohio senator to sit on Appropriations in nearly six decades -- and co-chaired the Senate Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children and the Senate Great Lakes Task Force.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  24. 1983 · bill

    As a U.S. Representative and Senator, was the primary sponsor of 22 bills enacted into law, including the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006 and the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006.

    Source: Mike DeWine

David Pepper

  1. 2010 · action

    As Hamilton County Commissioner, part of a Board that adopted a framework in December 2009 to address a structural deficit in the county's stadium sales-tax fund, including dedicating a share of anticipated casino revenue and negotiating lease concessions from the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals.

    Source: 2010 Budget in Brief, Board of County Commissioners

  2. 2009 · action

    As Hamilton County Commissioner, led a fiscal turnaround his campaign later cited as roughly $60 million in cuts while balancing county budgets for 2009 and 2010 during the recession, and spearheaded a foreclosure-prevention program.

    Source: David Pepper (politician)

  3. 2009 · action

    After voters rejected a proposed public-safety tax he backed, the county commission he led unanimously approved a 2009 budget resulting in 165 layoffs, including 24 sheriff's deputies, and the closure of one county jail facility; Yost's 2010 attack singling him out for this was rated Mostly False by PolitiFact.

    PolitiFact, September 3, 2010: Mostly False · the source

    Source: Republican Dave Yost attacks Democratic David Pepper on taxes and public safety in race for Ohio auditor

  4. 2002 · bill

    As a Cincinnati city councilman, sponsored legislation directing the city to collect municipal income tax from visiting professional athletes and entertainers, Cincinnati's "jock tax."

    PolitiFact, September 29, 2010: kicked off a jock tax, imposing a levy on the sports and entertainment industry · the source

    Source: GOP auditor candidate Dave Yost says opponent David Pepper kicked off a jock tax

Money

Totals and donors exactly as filed with the FEC or the Ohio Secretary of State, each figure with its filing link.

Itemized contributions from inside Ohio, share of all itemizedNo filing in this race breaks itemized contributions down by state.None found in the records checked
Itemized contributions from inside Ohio, share of all itemizedNo filing in this race breaks itemized contributions down by state.Source: fec.gov · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Status
None found in the records checked

Mike DeWine

Where the money went, as filedMike DeWine raised $7.8M as of April 3, 2015; no cash on hand is filed.Mike DeWine: Raised, $7.8M as filed, as of 2015-04-03Raised$7.8MIn, as filedWhere it went, as filed
Where the money went, as filedMike DeWine raised $7.8M as of April 3, 2015; no cash on hand is filed.Source: Ohio Secretary of State campaign finance filings, through 2015-04-03 · as of 2015-04-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
FromToDollarsShare of totalNote

Totals as filed

OhioSOS, as of April 3, 2015: raised $7,825,691.

Source: Ohio Attorney General election, 2014

Top donors, as filed

Outside spending

None found in the records checked

In-state share

Not yet researched

David Pepper

Where the money went, as filedDavid Pepper raised $5.8M as of April 3, 2015; no cash on hand is filed.David Pepper: Raised, $5.8M as filed, as of 2015-04-03Raised$5.8MIn, as filedWhere it went, as filed
Where the money went, as filedDavid Pepper raised $5.8M as of April 3, 2015; no cash on hand is filed.Source: Ohio Secretary of State campaign finance filings, through 2015-04-03 · as of 2015-04-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
FromToDollarsShare of totalNote

Totals as filed

OhioSOS, as of April 3, 2015: raised $5,771,103.

Source: Ohio Attorney General election, 2014

Top donors, as filed

None found in the records checked

Outside spending

None found in the records checked

In-state share

Not yet researched

The result

Past election results, share of the vote7 prior races on file across 2 candidates.DeWine2000 U.S. SenateMike DeWine, United States Senator from Ohio: won, 59.9%59.9%2006 U.S. SenateMike DeWine, U.S. Senator from Ohio: lost, 43.8%43.8%2010 Attorney GeneralMike DeWine, Attorney General of Ohio: won, 47.5%47.5%2018 GovernorMike DeWine, Governor of Ohio: won, 50.4%50.4%2018 GovernorMike DeWine, Governor of Ohio: won, 50.4%50.4%2022 GovernorMike DeWine, Governor of Ohio: won, 62.4%62.4%Pepper2010 AuditorDavid Pepper, Auditor of State of Ohio: lost, 44.9%44.9%
Past election results, share of the vote7 prior races on file across 2 candidates.Source: Ohio Secretary of State, official canvass, 2000-2022 · as of 2022 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
GroupItemPCTNote
DeWine2000 U.S. Senate59.9
DeWine2006 U.S. Senate43.8
DeWine2010 Attorney General47.5
DeWine2018 Governor50.4
DeWine2018 Governor50.4
DeWine2022 Governor62.4
Pepper2010 Auditor44.9

Mike DeWine · certified 2014-12 · turnout 39.4

CandidateVotesShare
Mike DeWine1,882,04861.5%
David Pepper1,178,42638.5%

Source: 2014 Ohio Attorney General election

Sources

Data from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0: 2014 Ohio Attorney General election · 2022 Ohio gubernatorial election · Mike DeWine · 2018 Ohio gubernatorial election · Ohio FirstEnergy bribery scandal · 2010 Ohio Attorney General election · 2006 United States Senate election in Ohio · Gang of 14 · 2000 United States Senate election in Ohio · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitelaw_Reid_House · David Pepper (politician) · 2010 Ohio State Auditor election

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Quick answers

When was the 2014 Attorney General of Ohio election?

The election for Attorney General of Ohio was held on November 4, 2014.

Who ran for Attorney General of Ohio in 2014?

On the ballot for Attorney General of Ohio, in surname order: Mike DeWine (Republican), David Pepper (Democratic).

Who won the 2014 Attorney General of Ohio election?

Mike DeWine won the election for Attorney General of Ohio. Results as certified: Mike DeWine 61.5%, David Pepper 38.5%.

Cite and data

Cite this page as:

Cracked Buckeye, "Attorney General of Ohio, 2014", https://crackedbuckeye.com/election/2014/attorney-general/, built 2026-11-03, accessed [date].

How to cite · Report a correction · Built 2026-11-03