Dave Yost delivers surprise resignation as Ohio’s attorney general
Attorney General Dave Yost surprised Ohio’s political establishment on Thursday, resigning as the state’s top law enforcement official “to pursue another employment opportunity.”
The resignation, delivered in a one-sentence letter dated Wednesday, is effective at midnight on June 7.
Yost, Ohio’s 51st attorney general, began his public-service career as Delaware County auditor in 1999 and was later elected as the county’s prosecutor.
Yost planned to run for attorney general in 2010, but instead ran for auditor of state when Gov. Mike DeWine entered the race, Statehouse News Bureau reported. Yost won, serving as auditor for two terms and was elected as attorney general in 2018; he was re-elected in November 2022.
🚨BREAKING: Ohio AG Dave Yost is reportedly preparing to step down before the end of his term, setting up a major appointment decision for Gov. Mike DeWine.
The move could reshape Ohio politics heading into 2026, with DeWine now expected to choose someone to serve the final… pic.twitter.com/Bzj6VKElQ0
— Ohio.news (@RealOhioNews) May 7, 2026
Yost planned to run for governor this year but suspended his campaign in May 2025 after the Ohio Republican Party endorsed his primary opponent, Cincinnati native, entrepreneur, and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy formally won the Republican nomination this week.
Now, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has the opportunity to appoint someone to the post.
“I am grateful for Attorney General Yost’s long career in public service, from serving as Delaware County Auditor, Delaware County Prosecutor, Auditor of State, to Attorney General of Ohio,” DeWine said in a statement. “I wish him the best in his next endeavor.
“Having served as Ohio Attorney General, I know how important this office is and the great work done by its employees,” the governor added. “I will give the appointment of someone to serve as Attorney General thoughtful and deliberate consideration.”
One option is Auditor Keith Faber, who is running against Columbus attorney John Kulewicz in November for the office.
“This is the Governor’s decision and I look forward to having a conversation with him about the best path forward after the AG makes his announcement,” Faber said in a Thursday statement to Bloomberg Law.
Should DeWine appoint Faber, he would then need to fill the auditor position, which Secretary of State Frank LaRose is seeking to fill in November. LaRose is facing Democrat Annette Blackwell in the November election.
Last month, a New Albany pleaded guilty in federal court to sending 92 threats toward 30 public officials, including Yost, DeWine and LaRose. Included among the 31 counts of federal crimes to which Ronald Lidderdale pleaded guilty were “mailing threatening communications, transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce, false information and hoaxes, and cyberstalking,” the Department of Justice announced.
The resignation also coincides with ongoing concerns about Medicaid fraud in the state.
