Kyle Kondik, one of the nation’s leading election analysts, gave more than 140 members of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) a look at the political landscape Wednesday, from the battle for control of Congress to Ohio’s closely watched races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, examined President Donald Trump’s standing, the national political environment and the dramatic changes in Ohio’s electoral map. He also identified Mahoning, Delaware and Wood counties as places to watch in the governor’s race. He said both the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races were “on a knife’s edge.”

“Everyone in Columbus thinks they know what’s going to happen in November. That’s why we brought in someone who actually studies the numbers,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for OMA. “Our job is to make sure manufacturers are prepared for what comes after the votes are counted.”

Political strategists Bob Clegg and Sandy Theis rounded out the Government Affairs Committee meeting with a discussion of Ohio’s elections, the upcoming gubernatorial transition and the legislative battles awaiting lawmakers after November. 9/30/2026