27 minute read
NEWS
NEWS NEWS
Midterm elections in Ohio and Kentucky concluded with both predictable and surprising results.
PHOTO: SORA SHIMAZAKI, PEXELS Midterm elections in Ohio and Kentucky concluded with both predictable and surprising results.
PHOTO: SORA SHIMAZAKI, PEXELS Election 2022 Nets Some Surprises Election 2022 Nets Some Surprises Republicans largely won Ohio, but Democrats o ered a few surprises. Republicans largely won Ohio, but Democrats o ered a few surprises. BY ALLISON BABKA, MADELINE FENING AND CITYBEAT STAFF
The midterm elections of Nov. 8 held a few surprises for everyone, it seems. While some races in Ohio and Kentucky were a bit predictable, others caught national attention for ipping the script. Below, catch up on some of the local, regional and state races and issues that CityBeat focused on, and then head to your secretary of state’s website (ohiosos.gov in Ohio and elect. ky.gov in Kentucky) or county board of elections (votehamiltoncountyohio. gov in Hamilton County) for full results (winners are preliminary until results T he midterm elections of Nov. 8 held a few surprises for everyone, it seems. While some races in Ohio and Kentucky were a bit predictable, others caught national attention for ipping the script. Below, catch up on some of the local, regional and state races and issues that CityBeat focused on, and then head to your secretary of state’s website (ohiosos.gov in Ohio and elect. ky.gov in Kentucky) or county board of elections (votehamiltoncountyohio. gov in Hamilton County) for full results (winners are preliminary until results are certi ed in about two weeks). are certi ed in about two weeks).
Mike DeWine Retains Ohio Governor Seat, Defeating Challenger Nan Whaley
Ohio’s sitting governor, Republican Mike DeWine, began his rst term in 2019 after serving in Ohio’s statehouse, as a U.S. senator and as a lieutenant governor. e Yellow Springs native earned praise from medical experts in 2020 for implementing Ohio’s COVID19 public health protocols – including venue capacity limits, stay-at-home orders and indoor masking – when others from his party refused to do so. He also received scorn from many far-right Republicans who lambasted – and continue to lambast – coronavirus vaccines and other safety measures.
DeWine has been linked to the FirstEnergy scandal, with documents showing that his administration played a hands-on role passing an
alleged pay-for-play nuclear bailout and appointing an industry-friendly regulator who has since been accused of taking a $4.3 million bribe. e governor has been under re this year for signing a state abortion law that has pushed children who have been raped to travel to other states for healthcare. Doctors have said repeatedly that this is harmful. On Oct. 7, a Hamilton County judge ruled to inde nitely block the ban as a network of doctors who provide abortions sue the state in Preterm Cleveland v. [Ohio attorney general] Dave Yost. e ban initially went into e ect in June after Mike DeWine Retains Ohio the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Governor Seat, Defeating Wade, a landmark case for privacy and Challenger Nan Whaley abortion rights that stood for nearly 50 Ohio’s sitting governor, Republican Mike DeWine, began his rst term in 2019 after serving in Ohio’s statehouse, as a U.S. senator and as a lieutenant governor. e Yellow Springs native earned praise from medical experts in 2020 for implementing Ohio’s COVID19 public health protocols – including venue capacity limits, stay-at-home orders and indoor masking – when others from his party refused to do so. He also received scorn from many far-right Republicans who lambasted – and continue to lambast – coroyears. Whaley, a Democrat, is the former mayor of Dayton who served from 2014 until the beginning of this year. Her leadership has been cited as a major reason Dayton’s unemployment numbers declined signi cantly and was in o ce when the city was just the fourth in the nation to sue pharmaceutical companies and others over the opiate addiction in Ohio. She has been a vocal advocate for gun safety legislation, abortion rights and banning LGBTQ+ conversion methods. navirus vaccines and other safety measures.
DeWine has been linked to the FirstEnergy scandal, with documents showing that his administration played a hands-on role passing an alleged pay-for-play nuclear bailout and appointing an industry-friendly regulator who has since been accused of taking a $4.3 million bribe. e governor has been under re this year for signing a state abortion law that has pushed children who have been raped to travel to other states for healthcare. Doctors have said repeatedly that this is harmful. On Oct. 7, a Hamilton County judge ruled to inde nitely block the ban as a network of doctors who provide abortions sue the state in Preterm Cleveland v. [Ohio attorney general] Dave Yost. e ban initially went into e ect in June after the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, a landmark case for privacy and abortion rights that stood for nearly 50 years. Whaley, a Democrat, is the former mayor of Dayton who served from 2014 until the beginning of this year. Her leadership has been cited as a major reason Dayton’s unemployment numbers declined signi cantly and was in o ce when the city was just the fourth in the nation to sue pharmaceutical companies and others over the opiate addiction in Ohio. She has been a vocal advocate for gun safety legislation, abortion rights and banning LGBTQ+ conversion methods.
Vance, an author and venture capitalist, was raised 30 miles north of Cincinnati in Middletown. His campaign leaned into former U.S. President Donald Trump’s MAGA-sphere, with the two appearing on stage together as Vance campaigned on immigration fears, blamed Democrats for in ation and attacked teachers’ unions. Vance’s alignment with far-right conservatives prompted some GOP gures to stump instead for Ryan, whose moderate tone appealed to many Republicans.
Vance was somewhat hesitantly endorsed by Trump, who was brought up on articles of impeachment, is under investigation for stealing classi ed documents from the White House and whose rhetoric spurred far-right supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021. A few years ago, Vance had written extensively about Trump being “reprehensible,” saying, “Fellow Christians, everyone is watching us when we apologize for this man. Lord help us” after Trump’s misogynistic “Grab ‘em by the pussy” conversation on Access Hollywood was leaked in 2016. Vance has since leaned into conservative and nationalist rhetoric.
Ryan, who has served 10 terms in the U.S. House representing Ohio’s 13th district, struck a chord with moderates during his campaign by focusing on economic concerns and shrugging o culture wars while still attempting to appeal to progressive voters by supporting abortion access.
Vance, an author and venture capitalist, was raised 30 miles north of Cincinnati in Middletown. His campaign leaned into former U.S. President Donald Trump’s MAGA-sphere, with the two appearing on stage together as Vance campaigned on immigration fears, blamed Democrats for in ation and attacked teachers’ unions. Vance’s alignment with far-right conservatives prompted some GOP gures to stump instead for Ryan, whose moderate tone appealed to many Republicans.
Vance was somewhat hesitantly endorsed by Trump, who was brought up on articles of impeachment, is under investigation for stealing classi ed documents from the White House and whose rhetoric spurred far-right supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021. A few years ago, Vance had written extensively about Trump being “reprehensible,” saying, “Fellow Christians, everyone is watching us when we apologize for this man. Lord help us” after Trump’s misogynistic “Grab ‘em by the pussy” conversation on Access Hollywood was leaked in 2016. Vance has since leaned into conservative and nationalist rhetoric.
Ryan, who has served 10 terms in the U.S. House representing Ohio’s 13th district, struck a chord with moderates during his campaign by focusing on economic concerns and shrugging o culture wars while still attempting to appeal to progressive voters by supporting abortion access.
Ohio Gov Mike DeWine earns a second term after defeating Nan Whaley.
PHOTO: OHIO CHANNEL SCREENSHOT Ohio Gov Mike DeWine earns a second term after defeating Nan Whaley.
PHOTO: OHIO CHANNEL SCREENSHOT
In Abortion Rights Victory, In Abortion Rights Victory, Kentucky Voters Shoot Down Constitutional Kentucky Voters Shoot Down Constitutional Amendment
AmendmentVoters in the Commonwealth Voters in the Commonwealth rejected a ballot measure that would have introduced language into the rejected a ballot measure that would have introduced language into the state’s constitution saying that nothing state’s constitution saying that nothing
Author and venture capitalist J.D. Vance defeated Democrat Tim Ryan for U.S. Senate seat.
PHOTO: TWITTER/JDVANCE Author and venture capitalist J.D. Vance defeated Democrat Tim Ryan for U.S. Senate seat.
PHOTO: TWITTER/JDVANCE in the document secured or protected in the document secured or protected abortion rights. Abortion remains illegal in Kentucky as the result of a trigger law banning abortion in the wake of the monumental overturn of Roe v. Wade in June. However, the failure of Amendment 2 means that Kentucky’s abortion ban can still be challenged as unconstitutional in the courts. Under Kentucky’s ban, abortion procedures are only permitted if the life of a pregnant person is in jeopardy. ere are no exceptions in cases of rape or incest, nor are there exceptions for minors. Healthcare providers who carry out abortions or people who provide abortion medication can be charged with a Class D felony, which is punishable by up to ve years in abortion rights. Abortion remains illegal in Kentucky as the result of a trigger law banning abortion in the wake of the monumental overturn of Roe v. Wade in June. However, the failure of Amendment 2 means that Kentucky’s abortion ban can still be challenged as unconstitutional in the courts. Under Kentucky’s ban, abortion procedures are only permitted if the life of a pregnant person is in jeopardy. ere are no exceptions in cases of rape or incest, nor are there exceptions for minors. Healthcare providers who carry out abortions or people who provide abortion medication can be charged with a Class D felony, which is punishable by up to ve years in prison. prison.
Landsman, a Democrat and current Cincinnati City Council member of ve years, has slammed Chabot for voting to overturn the legitimate 2020 election of U.S. President Joe Biden. He also has highlighted restoring abortion rights, repairing infrastructure like the Brent Spence Bridge and passing LGBTQIA+ protections as goals once he becomes a member of Congress.
Landsman’s time on Cincinnati City Council largely has focused on general safety, violence reduction, reproductive rights and neighborhood beauti cation.
Chabot, who was the incumbent Republican, supported Trump’s false assertions that the 2020 general election was “stolen.” He also has repeatedly voted against abortion protections and indicated that he would consider banning birth control, as well.
With the win, Landsman ips a district that Chabot has held since 2011.
Landsman, a Democrat and current Cincinnati City Council member of ve years, has slammed Chabot for voting to overturn the legitimate 2020 election of U.S. President Joe Biden. He also has highlighted restoring abortion rights, repairing infrastructure like the Brent Spence Bridge and passing LGBTQIA+ protections as goals once he becomes a member of Congress.
Landsman’s time on Cincinnati City Council largely has focused on general safety, violence reduction, reproductive rights and neighborhood beauti cation.
Chabot, who was the incumbent Republican, supported Trump’s false assertions that the 2020 general election was “stolen.” He also has repeatedly voted against abortion protections and indicated that he would consider banning birth control, as well.
With the win, Landsman ips a district that Chabot has held since 2011.
Adam Mathews Takes Ohio’s Adam Mathews Takes Ohio’s 56th House District over Joy 56th House District over Joy Bennett
BennettMathews, a Republican, is Lebanon’s Mathews, a Republican, is Lebanon’s current vice-mayor and was endorsed by Ohio Right to Life and Cincinnati Right to Life. He has testi ed in favor of Ohio’s current abortion law, which prohibits abortion procedures after six weeks’ gestation except in a few instances (a Hamilton County judge has blocked the law inde nitely as a related lawsuit continues). Mathews’ campaign website says he “has helped empower mothers and families to make godly life choices” in the only district that banned abortion care before the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade and left the subject up to the states. Bennett, a Democrat, is a marketing and communications strategist who led a public ght against the city of Mason as the local council attempted (and eventually failed) to implement a total abortion ban in 2021. She had previously run for a current vice-mayor and was endorsed by Ohio Right to Life and Cincinnati Right to Life. He has testi ed in favor of Ohio’s current abortion law, which prohibits abortion procedures after six weeks’ gestation except in a few instances (a Hamilton County judge has blocked the law inde nitely as a related lawsuit continues). Mathews’ campaign website says he “has helped empower mothers and families to make godly life choices” in the only district that banned abortion care before the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade and left the subject up to the states. Bennett, a Democrat, is a marketing and communications strategist who led a public ght against the city of Mason as the local council attempted (and eventually failed) to implement a total abortion ban in 2021. She had previously run for a seat on the council. seat on the council.
In Ohio’s 89th House District, In Ohio’s 89th House District, D.J. Swearingen Routs Jim Obergefell, Who Helped D.J. Swearingen Routs Jim Obergefell, Who Helped Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Legalize Same-Sex Marriage Swearingen, a Republican, has repreSwearingen, a Republican, has represented the district since 2019. Obergefell, a Democrat, is a University of Cincinnati alum who may be best known as the lead plainti in the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Since the fall of Roe in June, many legal experts fear that Obergefell will be reversed next, thanks to opinion language used in the court’s decision. During his political campaign, Obergefell championed LGBTQIA+ rights, abortion and bodily autonomy, voting rights and improving public sented the district since 2019. Obergefell, a Democrat, is a University of Cincinnati alum who may be best known as the lead plainti in the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Since the fall of Roe in June, many legal experts fear that Obergefell will be reversed next, thanks to opinion language used in the court’s decision. During his political campaign, Obergefell championed LGBTQIA+ rights, abortion and bodily autonomy, voting rights and improving public schools. schools.
Democrat Greg Landsman’s win ipped the 1st Congressional District.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY CAMPAIGN Democrat Greg Landsman’s win ipped the 1st Congressional District.
Cincinnati Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Issue 11, Eliminating Mayor’s Pocket Veto
Now approved, Issue 11 eliminates a Cincinnati mayor’s pocket veto – the loophole in a charter amendment that previously allowed a mayor to postpone legislation inde nitely without discussion from Cincinnati City Council. e mayor now will have to refer legislation to the proper committee within four scheduled meetings of it being led, with the head of that committee then required to place the legislation on the agenda for any of the subsequent four meetings. e legislation then will leave committee and go to the full Cincinnati City Council, again within the span of four scheduled meetings
Previously, the mayor was permitted to simply not pass the legislation to committee, stopping the whole process. Cincinnati has seen the loophole used in the past, when former mayor Mark Mallory used the pocket veto in 2006 to block a vote on making his o ce budget bear the expense for the mayor’s bodyguard.
While the passage of Issue 11 somewhat limits the power of current mayor
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY CAMPAIGN Cincinnati Voters
Overwhelmingly Approve
Issue 11, Eliminating Mayor’s Pocket Veto Aftab Pureval, it was Pureval himself who proposed the change in September, along with council members Mark
Now approved, Issue 11 eliminates Je reys and Je Cramerding. a Cincinnati mayor’s pocket veto – the loophole in a charter amendment that previously allowed a mayor to postpone legislation inde nitely without discussion from Cincinnati City Council. e mayor now will have to refer legislation to the proper committee within four scheduled meetings of it being led, with the head of that committee then required to place the legislation on the agenda for any of the subsequent four meetings. e legislation then will leave committee and go to the full Cincinnati City Council, again within the span of four scheduled meetings
Previously, the mayor was permitted to simply not pass the legislation to committee, stopping the whole process. Cincinnati has seen the loophole used in the past, when former mayor Mark Mallory used the pocket veto in 2006 to block a vote on making his o ce budget bear the expense for the mayor’s bodyguard.
While the passage of Issue 11 somewhat limits the power of current mayor Aftab Pureval, it was Pureval himself who proposed the change in September, along with council members Mark Je reys and Je Cramerding.
1: PassedIssue 1 asked voters if judges setting Issue 1 asked voters if judges setting bail should be required to consider public safety. is includes a person’s criminal record, the likelihood the accused will return to court and any other factor decided by Ohio’s General Assembly. e change removes the authority of the Ohio Supreme Court to set the procedures for establishing the amount and bail should be required to consider public safety. is includes a person’s criminal record, the likelihood the accused will return to court and any other factor decided by Ohio’s General Assembly. e change removes the authority of the Ohio Supreme Court to set the procedures for establishing the amount and conditions of bail. conditions of bail.
Issue 2: PassedIssue 2 prohibits local governments Issue 2 prohibits local governments from allowing non-citizens, or non-electors, to vote. Only U.S. citizens ages 18 or above who have been a legal resident and registered to vote for at least 30 days can vote at any state or local election. e law mainly a ects local elections; there are already laws in place banning non-citizens from voting in federal, state from allowing non-citizens, or non-electors, to vote. Only U.S. citizens ages 18 or above who have been a legal resident and registered to vote for at least 30 days can vote at any state or local election. e law mainly a ects local elections; there are already laws in place banning non-citizens from voting in federal, state and county races. and county races.
Republicans Take All Three Republicans Take All Three Ohio Supreme Court Elections, Ohio Supreme Court Elections, Which Could Spell Trouble for Which Could Spell Trouble for Pro-Abortion Lawsuits
Pro-Abortion Lawsuits BY MARTY SCHLADEN, OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL BY MARTY SCHLADEN, OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL
Republicans swept all three open seats on the Ohio Supreme Court Nov. 8. e eventual Republican majority will have big implications in the state for years to come.
Associate justice Sharon Kennedy, a Republican, beat associate justice Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, in the race
Republicans swept all three open seats on the Ohio Supreme Court Nov. 8. e eventual Republican majority will have big implications in the state for years to come. Associate justice Sharon Kennedy, a Republican, beat associate justice Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, in the race for chief justice. Incumbent justices Pat Fischer and Pat DeWine, both Republicans, also won over Democratic challengers Terri Jameson and Marilyn Zayas, respectively, according to uno cial results posted by the Secretary of State’s o ce [editor’s note: Pat DeWine is the son of Ohio’s
for chief justice.
Incumbent justices Pat Fischer and Pat DeWine, both Republicans, also won over Democratic challengers Terri Jameson and Marilyn Zayas, respectively, according to uno cial results posted by the Secretary of State’s o ce [editor’s note: Pat DeWine is the son of Ohio’s
sitting governor Mike DeWine and has roots in Mount Lookout. He had been accused of violating ethics during Ohio’s battle for redrawn district maps].
Two other Democratic justices, Melody Stewart and Michael P. Donnelly, weren’t up for reelection. But with Gov. Mike DeWine — Pat DeWine’s father — poised to appoint an associate justice to replace Kennedy, the court is likely to have a 4-3 Republican majority. And, while retiring chief justice Maureen O’Connor often played the role of a swing voter, Kennedy is expected to vote more consistently with the Republican majority. is year’s Supreme Court elections have taken on perhaps their highest pro le in state history. One big reason is because the U.S. Supreme Court in June pushed the job of deciding the constitutionality of harsh abortion restrictions onto state supreme courts.
In Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health, the conservative majority on the federal high court ruled that nothing in the U.S. Constitution prevents states from banning abortion outright. As it did so, the court ignored claims by the medical community that the procedure is often necessary to protect people’s health.
Now many state supreme courts — including Ohio’s — are being asked to decide whether strict limitations on abortion violate their states’ constitutions.
When Dobbs was handed down, it allowed enforcement of a 2019 state law that prohibits abortions after about ve or six weeks of pregnancy. e law doesn’t make exceptions for rape and incest, and Ohio doctors say its protections for mother’ health are often vague and unworkable.
After reports of very young rape victims being forced to leave the state for abortions — along with mothers with serious health problems — Ohio abortion clinics sued. A Hamilton County judge has temporarily blocked enforcement of the Ohio law, ruling that it violates the state Constitution.
But the state is appealing that ruling and the case is expected to make its way up to the Ohio Supreme Court, possibly early next year. Also possibly coming before the court would be any neartotal abortion ban that might be passed in this year’s lame-duck session.
Republicans on the Supreme Court might already have hinted how they’ll rule in abortion cases. Judicial candidates frequently tell the press that they can’t comment publicly on issues that are likely to come before them. But in October, News 5 Cleveland reported that Ohio’s Republican candidates — Pat DeWine, Fischer and Kennedy — told an anti-abortion group in questionnaires that they didn’t agree with a federal constitutional guarantee of abortion.
A longer version of this story originally was published by the Ohio Capital Journal and is republished here with permission.
Other Major Races of Note
Kentucky U.S. Senate
Incumbent Republican Sen. Rand Paul defeated former Democratic state Rep. Charles Booker.
Ohio Attorney General
Republican incumbent Dave Yost maintained his position, defeating Democrat Je rey Crossman.
Ohio Auditor
Republican Keith Faber defended his seat from challenger Taylor Sappington, a Democrat.
Ohio Secretary of State
Republican Frank LaRose maintained Ohio’s secretary of state position and defeated challenger Chelsea Clark, a Democrat.
Hamilton County Commissioner
Democrat Stephanie Summerow Dumas was reelected as Hamilton County commissioner, defeating Republican Matthew O’Neill and independent candidate Christopher Smitherman.
Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
Incumbent Pavan Parikh, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Steven Goodin.
Cincinnati Hard Rock Sportsbook’s First Legal Bet Goes to – Who Else? – Pete Rose
BY ALLISON BABKA
Former Cincinnati Reds player and manager Pete Rose will ring in the new year at the upcoming Hard Rock Sportsbook, the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati’s betting facility. Rose will place the venue’s rst legal bet at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, Ohio’s universal start date for legal online and in-person sports gaming.
Other Cincinnati sports personalities will join Rose in opening the venue, including former Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman, former Reds pitcher Tom Browning, newly announced Reds Hall of Fame 2023 inductee Bronson Arroyo, track-and- eld Olympian Mary Wineberg, former Bengals o ensive tackle Anthony Muñoz, former Bengals running back Ickey Woods.
Legalizing sports gambling
It’s been a long road to legal sports betting in the Buckeye State. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court said that individual states were permitted to approve such gambling. at launched a urry of proposed bills in Ohio, most of which saw a number of delays and changes. But in 2021, the state’s House of Representatives and Senate approved HB 29, and Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law that December. e bill that legalizes and regulates sports betting took e ect in March, and all forms of gaming will begin on Jan. 1. rough the approved bill, sports betting in Ohio will be permitted through “licensed operators of online sportsbooks and brick-and-mortar establishments,” according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Such businesses and services must apply for licensing and submit compliant plans for their facilities, equipment, house rules, employee requirements and more. All approved gaming service providers/venues simultaneously can begin accepting wagers on Jan. 1.
Rose’s history with gambling
Many baseball experts agree that under normal circumstances, Rose would be a lock for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown.
According to Rose’s website, he owns Major League Baseball records for the most career hits, games played, at-bats and hitting streaks of 20 or more games, among others. “Charlie Hustle” also had played 500 games
Pete Rose admits to gambling on baseball games while managing the Cincinnati Reds.
PHOTO: KJUNSTORM, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
each at ve di erent positions: rst base, second base, third base, left eld and right eld.
He was part of the “Big Red Machine” of the ‘70s – the Cincinnati Reds era that earned the team multiple division and league titles and two World Series wins. Rose went to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1979 and then to the Montreal Expos. He returned to Cincinnati as a player-manager from 1984-1986, retiring as a player in 1986.
But it was Rose’s solo manager stint that would do the slugger in. In 1989, MLB attorney John Dowd released a report and evidence alleging that Rose had gambled on baseball games, including while managing the Cincinnati Reds. According to MLB rules, managers, players and anyone in key positions are prohibited from betting on baseball in any way.
For years, Rose insisted that he did not bet on or against the Reds or any other MLB team and led multiple lawsuits to stop Dowd’s investigation. MLB placed Rose on the league’s permanent ineligible list on Aug. 24, 1989. Rose later applied multiple times to have various MLB commissioners reinstate him, but he continually has been denied, with commissioner Rob Manfred saying in 2015 that Rose did not have “a mature understanding of his wrongful conduct.”
Cooperstown also barred him from enshrinement in 1991, despite the numbers he’d put up as a player. As with the MLB, Rose petitioned the National Baseball Hall of Fame to consider him for inclusion but has been turned down.
In 2004, Rose nally admitted that he had, indeed, gambled on baseball.
Bengals running back Joe Mixon set a team record for the most touchdowns scored during a single game.
PHOTO: BENGALS MEDIA ASSETS
Sports Briefs
Joe Mixon Hits Major Bengals Milestones
Somebody had a great day at Paycor Stadium recently.
During the Cincinnati Bengals’ 42-21 win over the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 6, running back Joe Mixon pulled in ve touchdowns, setting a new Bengals record for the most in a single game. Previously, three Bengals players were tied with four TDs each: Marvin Jones (2013), Corey Dillon (1997) and Larry Kinnebrew (1984), according to Statmuse. Four of Mixon’s scores were rushing touchdowns, which shares the franchise’s top slot with Dillon’s e orts in 1997.
Four of Mixon’s touchdowns came within the rst half of the game, allowing him to become the rst Bengals player to hit that milestone. He’s also just the fth Bengal to earn 5,000 career yards.
Additionally, Mixon is now the 17th player in NFL history to ever score at least ve non-passing touchdowns. He’s in a tie on the NFL’s overall list for fourth-place for the most touchdowns in a single game.
It was a stunning turnaround for Mixon, who hadn’t been performing to the season’s expectations. Entering the game with the Panthers, the running back had only been averaging three yards per carry and was performing 54 yards below expectation, according to stats provided by ESPN. After the game, ESPN noted, Mixon was at 74 yards over forecast.
“We’re all professionals. We know what we have to do. Everybody has a job and we’re all on the same page,” Mixon said. “Most important is coming out with a victory and we did that today. e fact we stayed true to the game, we’ll always do that. I’m living in the moment.”
FC Cincinnati Lands Two Players on MLS Best Xi
Major League Soccer announced its Best Xi selections Nov. 2, and FC Cincinnati’s attacking mid elder Luciano Acosta and forward Brandon Vazquez made the cut. is marks the rst time that FC Cincy players are on the list that celebrates the top 11 players in the MLS. e honor comes on the heels of Acosta and Vazquez being selected for the MLS All-Star Game earlier this year, as well as a stellar overall season in which FC Cincinnati enjoyed its rst appearance in the MLS Cup playo s.
Acosta, who also had received Best Xi honors in 2018 when he was with D.C. United, tallied 10 goals and 19 assists for the regular season. His 19 assists were the most in the MLS. Always a clutch player, two of Acosta’s goals were game-winners for FC Cincy, plus he had at least one goal or assist in 11 of the team’s 12 regular-season wins. Cincinnati’s captain tied for third in the league for goal contributions – 29, a career high. Acosta also led the club in gamewinning assists, with ve.
Vazquez notched 18 goals on the season, good for fourth-best in the league and a career high for him. He led the league in open-play goals (16) tied for the most header goals (six). He set FC Cincinnati records for goals across all competitions, shots and shots on goal while becoming the rst Cincinnati player to score multiple goals in consecutive games. Vazquez had four scoring streaks in 2022’s regular season, including four consecutive games.
Together, Acosta and Vazquez became the rst pair of teammates with at least 25 goal contributions in a single season since 2018, according to media materials.
Redsfest to Return for First Time Since 2019
Abaseball tradition is coming back after a two-year hiatus.
Redsfest, a Cincinnati Reds fan gathering and activity convention, is returning this year for the rst time since 2019 – just before the COVID19 pandemic hit. e family-friendly event will feature current and former player appearances, autograph and photograph sessions, batting cages, pedal cars, mascot performances and other entertainment on Dec. 2 and 3 at Duke Energy Convention Center in Downtown.
As of press time, Reds manager David Bell and rst baseman are the only current members of the team scheduled to appear at this year’s event. Retired broadcaster Marty Brennaman also is on the schedule, as is a group of additional broadcasters and minor leaguers. Media materials say that more than 70 Reds personalities will be on hand, with the nal lineup arriving closer to the event.
Two-day passes for adults cost $35, while a one-day pass is $25. Kids 12 years old and under pay $20 for a two-day pass and $15 for a one-day pass. Fans also can volunteer to work shifts during Redsfest in exchange for a meal voucher, parking stipend and Reds tickets.
e full schedule and celebrity list is at mlb.com/reds/fans/redsfest.
