Gov. Mike DeWine Appoints Andy Wilson as Ohio Attorney General to Succeed Dave Yost

Published: May 26, 2026 - 12:35 p.m.

By Analese Hartford

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COLUMBUS, OHIO — Governor Mike DeWine named Andy Wilson as the state's next attorney general on Wednesday, filling the vacancy created by Dave Yost's impending departure to the private sector. Wilson, who currently oversees the Ohio Department of Public Safety, brings a significant background in criminal prosecution and state-level administration to the role. He will serve out the remainder of Yost's term through the end of the year. The governor's choice is not a surprise to those following the administration's inner circle. DeWine noted that his confidence in Wilson stems from years of observation, starting with Wilson's tenure as Clark County prosecutor in Springfield. According to Governor DeWine, Wilson's performance as a director and his previous work on daily operations of state safety initiatives made him the clear choice for the appointment. Wilson's career began far from the executive offices in Columbus. He served as an armor officer in the Ohio National Guard before moving into the courtroom as a trial prosecutor in 2002. During his time in Clark County, he focused extensively on cases involving violence against children. He eventually took over the office as the lead prosecutor in 2011, where he served two full terms and established specialized units, including a rapid response team for victims of violent crime. One of the most high-profile assignments of Wilson's career came in 2020. Governor DeWine tapped him to assist the Pike County Prosecutor's Office with the investigation and prosecution of the Wagner family. The case involved the 2016 murders of eight members of the Rhoden, Manley, and Gilley families, a crime that drew national attention to southern Ohio. Wilson's involvement helped secure guilty pleas and the eventual conviction of George Wagner IV. Since December 2022, Wilson has managed a $2.5 billion biannual budget at the Department of Public Safety. He has been responsible for about 4,000 employees across ten different divisions, ranging from the Ohio State Highway Patrol to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. In his new capacity, he will oversee the attorney general's staff of nearly 1,500 employees who handle legal representation for state agencies and provide investigative support to local police. Wilson stated that he is looking forward to continuing the mission of keeping Ohioans safe. The transition comes at a busy time for the office. An election for the next full term of the attorney general is scheduled for this November. Whoever wins that race will take office for a term beginning in January 2027. Wilson is a graduate of Wright State University and earned his law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.