Dave Yost will step down as Ohio attorney general next month, ending his time in office about eight months before his term was set to expire.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that he has accepted Yost’s resignation, which takes effect June 7.
In a statement, DeWine thanked Yost for his decades of public service in Ohio, which included serving as Delaware County auditor, Delaware County prosecutor, Ohio auditor of state, and attorney general.
“I am grateful for Attorney General Yost’s long career in public service,” DeWine said. “I wish him the best in his next endeavor.”
Yost announced he will join Alliance Defending Freedom as vice president of strategic research and innovation. He has served as Ohio attorney general since 2019 after previously serving two terms as Ohio auditor. His political career began more than 25 years ago when he was elected Delaware County auditor in 1999.
Earlier this election cycle, Yost launched a campaign for Ohio governor before later ending his bid after businessman Vivek Ramaswamy entered the race with support from President Donald Trump and the Ohio Republican Party.
With Yost leaving office before the end of his term, DeWine will appoint someone to serve as Ohio attorney general until January.
The governor said he plans to give the appointment “thoughtful and deliberate consideration.”
The resignation comes during a major reshuffling of Ohio’s statewide offices ahead of the 2026 election. Keith Faber is already running for attorney general, while Frank LaRose is running for auditor. Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague recently secured the Republican nomination for secretary of state.
During his time as attorney general, Yost was involved in several high-profile legal cases and political issues, including lawsuits related to the East Palestine train derailment, challenges involving federal Title IX guidance, and legal battles surrounding Ohio’s abortion laws following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
