The Ohio Star Podcast

The Ohio Star Podcast


*The Ohio Star Podcast for March 17, 2022: Peter D'Abrosca, Ohio GOP Leader Jim Burgess, Raffensperger Challenger Rep. Jody Hice

March 17, 2022

 

Neil W. McCabe, the national political editor of The Star News Network, a constellation of 11 state-focused news sites, including The Ohio Star had three guests on this episode.


First, McCabe spoke to Star reporter Peter D’Abrosca about his coverage of Ohio Republican Gov. R. Michael DeWine, who March 14 signed the Constitutional Carry bill, which is the culmination of years of advocacy by the state’s gun rights community.


D’Abrosca said the new law means that Ohio residents, who meet the age and other requirements, do not have to seek a gun permit in order to carry a concealed firearm.


This comes on the heels of DeWine’s signing another gun rights bill last year, which repealed the so-called duty-to-retreat and replaced it with a stand-your-ground law.


D’Abrosca also told McCabe about his coverage of two organizations in Georgia, very closely affiliated with Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams. These groups are raising money to fight efforts in the state to restore election integrity.


McCabe’s second guest is Jim Burgess, a member of the Ohio Republican Party’s Central Committee. After party treasurer David W. Johnson told central committee members at the Feb. 18 meeting, he would only respond to emailed questions, Burgess sent him an email with questions.


Burgess, a member of the Financial Review Committee, said Johnson ignored the first email and the follow-up, but he is still hopeful to find out why the party contributed to three statewide candidates, not endorsed by the central committee, and why those candidates reported contributions significantly higher that what Johnson reported.


Finally, McCabe spoke to Rep. Jody Hice (R.-Ga.) about his primary challenge to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Hice said he was still confused about why Raffensperger certified the 2020 election, despite the irregularities.

The congressman also talked about the campaign and why is confident for a win in the May 24 primary.

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Neil W. McCabe is the national political editor of The Star News Network based in Washington. He is an Army Reserve public affairs NCO and an Iraq War veteran. Send him news tips: neilwmccabe@thestarnewsnetwork.com. Follow him on TruthSocial & GETTR: @ReporterMcCabe