DeWine Names Ohio AG Yost’s Replacement

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday announced Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson is his pick to serve for the remaining six months of outgoing Attorney General Dave Yost’s term.

Last Thursday, Yost made his resignation official, effective June 7. He’ll leave his current post to work for Alliance Defending Freedom.

Wilson previously served as DeWine’s senior adviser for criminal justice policy in his first term. He became the public safety director in December 2022.

In a statement, Yost appeared pleased with DeWine’s choice for his successor, calling it “a wise selection.” He also highlighted Wilson’s experience as a county prosecuting attorney, and also in his current role, noting that “our offices have frequently collaborated to keep Ohioans safe.”

Wilson’s appointment was also applauded by State Auditor Keith Faber, who is the Republican nominee for attorney general.

In a statement on X, Faber noted Wilson was a “solid pick,” and spoke of his own run for the position.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou echoed that sentiment in his own X post, noting Wilson “will do a great job” until Faber “is elected in November.”

While it was rumored that DeWine would appoint Faber, who could then run as an incumbent, such a pick would have set off a flurry of appointments needing to be filled. Secretary of State Frank LaRose is the Republican nominee for auditor, while Treasurer Robert Sprague is the Republican nominee for secretary of state. Former state Rep. Jay Edwards is the Republican nominee for treasurer.

Faber has also spoken about the work he is doing in his current role to combat concerns of fraud.

Yost could not run again for his current role due to term limits. He briefly ran for governor, but dropped out last year after Vivek Ramaswamy, now officially the Republican nominee, received high-profile endorsements, including from the Ohio Republican Party and President Donald Trump.

DeWine and Yost have both served as attorneys general, with Yost succeeding DeWine in that role. Before serving as the attorney general, Yost was the state auditor, the role Faber currently holds.