National conservative group ranks Ohio legislators

COLUMBUS (AP) — A national conservative group known for its annual rankings of members of Congress has released a report of the political leanings of Ohio’s General Assembly.

The American Conservative Union ranks 17 of 33 state Senators as “Defenders of Liberty,” voting on 10 key measures they say limit government and promote individual freedom and free market. A “yes” vote on Ohio’s defeated collective-bargaining law was among bills used to rank conservatives.

In the House, 44 representatives of 99 achieved the highest ranking.

Two state senators and 24 representatives scored the lowest ranking of “True Liberal of the Buckeye” for voting against all 10 measures.

The group has ranked members of Congress since 1971. It expanded the rankings this year to review state legislatures in five battleground states, including Ohio.