Is a hate crime law needed in Ohio? Republicans split

By: Morgan Trau

Outlets: Ohio Capital Journal

Published: February 27, 2026

Words: 1,147

Last Updated: 1 week, 6 days ago

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A bipartisan pair of Ohio lawmakers defended their bill that would make hate crimes illegal, increasing penalties for assaulting or terrorizing someone based on their race, sex, and even political affiliation.

“Look, as a Black man in America, I’ve been called the N-word a lot in my life — more now that I’m a politician that’s Black as a Republican — than I’ve ever been in my life,” state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, said.

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