(LifeSiteNews) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a conservative, pro-life, and pro-freedom Republican, announced last week that he will resign in June to take a job with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).
Yost informed Republican Gov. Mike DeWine of his decision to join ADF as vice president of strategic research and innovation in a letter of resignation that came eight months before his second term was to end in January 2027. Term limits prevented the 69-year-old Yost from running again.
“I’ve been honored to serve Ohio, and will continue to fight for freedom!” Yost said in an X post.
“I’ve been passionate about religious liberty, free speech, parental rights, and human dignity for a long time, and to now bring my legal and advocacy skills to bear alongside the best constitutional lawyers in the world is an extraordinary opportunity,” Yost said in a statement. “I’m honored to join this renowned organization.”
“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. I wish him the best in his next endeavor,” DeWine wrote in a statement. “Having served as Ohio Attorney General, I know how important this office is and the great work done by its employees. I will give the appointment of someone to serve as Attorney General thoughtful and deliberate consideration.”
Ramaswamy won the Ohio primary by an overwhelming margin on May 5. He’ll now face off against pro-abortion Democrat Amy Acton in the November general election.
Kristen Waggoner, ADF’s CEO, president, and chief counsel, said that Yost will focus on expanding strategic research capabilities and developing new approaches to advancing freedom internationally. The nonprofit is the world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of human life. ADF has won 18 cases at the U.S. Supreme Court in the past 15 years, including the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade.
“Attorney General Yost is a proven, bold advocate of First Amendment freedoms who brings decades of government, policy, and litigation experience to the fight for truth — in the courtroom and the public square,” Waggoner said. “As censorship accelerates and God-given rights face unprecedented attack, ADF is advancing on new fronts, and we are fortunate to have a leader of General Yost’s stature and conviction standing with us. He doesn’t just understand these issues — he has spent his career fighting for them.”
Yost’s legal and political experience includes two terms as Ohio’s auditor of state and a county prosecutor.
“This is a moment of unprecedented change and uncertainty, and the stakes for our foundational freedoms could not be higher,” Yost said. “I’ve been passionate about religious liberty, free speech, parental rights, and human dignity for a long time, and to now bring my legal and advocacy skills to bear alongside the best constitutional lawyers in the world is an extraordinary opportunity.”