Ohio Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty (CCATDP-OH) is a network of politically and socially conservative Ohioans who question the alignment of capital punishment with conservative principles and values, including limited government, fiscal responsibility, and protecting innocent life. Launched in collaboration with Ohioans to Stop Executions (OTSE), CCATDP-Ohio is part of the national Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty network.
250 prominent conservatives signed a national statement of support for ending the death penalty in 2019, including 35 from Ohio.
>67% prominent conservatives signed a national statement of support for ending the death penalty in 2019, including 35 from Ohio.
11 states had Republican-sponsored repeal legislation in 2021-2022, and more than 40 Republican lawmakers signed onto these bills.
Prominent Ohio Conservative Voices
BOB TAFT, FORMER OHIO GOVERNOR
“I felt that unless there really was a mistake in law or evidence that it should proceed pursuant to law. But having gone through that experience and having examined the death penalty after being out of off ice, I’m developing growing reservations about it.”
REPRESENTATIVE JEAN SCHMIDT, R-LOVELAND
“When I last served in this Chamber 16 years ago, I was an advocate for continuing the death penalty. A decade and half later, I truly feel, the time has come to end the death penalty in Ohio. I’m looking forward to discussing this important issue with my colleagues and constituents.”
SENATOR MICHELE REYNOLDS, R-CANAL WINCHESTER
“I believe there is a better way to deliver justice and punish those who commit the most heinous of crimes – by executing their freedom, not their lives.”
JIM PETRO, FORMER OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL
“I’ve heard all the justifications — deterrence, support for victims, cost savings. And I know now they are all wrong, and those misguided arguments act as a smoke screen for the profound flaws that mark capital punishment.”
FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LAURA LANESE, R-GROVE CITY
“We believe that the sanctity of life should be protected more than anything else and when you give the government the power over life, you’re giving them the ultimate power, and we’ve seen throughout history in the US and the world where giving the government that much power can have devastating effects.”