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2025 Sloopys: Ohio's Annual Political Awards Honoring Playful and Purposeful Leaders

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  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. rds-honoring-playful-and-purposeful-leaders.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 12:29 GMT by Cleveland.com

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Summarizing the 2025 Sloopys: Capitol Letters’ Annual Ohio Political Awards

The Cleveland.com article “Nominate your favorites for the 2025 Sloopys: Capitol Letters’ annual Ohio political awards” provides a detailed look at the 2025 edition of the Sloopys, a quirky yet widely respected political awards ceremony hosted by Capitol Letters, the well‑known Ohio‑based political blog. Over the course of more than 500 words, the piece breaks down the background of the awards, the nomination process, the categories and nominees, the voting mechanism, and the anticipated event itself. Below is a concise summary that captures the key points and provides the context readers would gain from the full article.

1. What are the Sloopys?

The article opens by explaining that the Sloopys are “Ohio’s most playful and pointed political awards.” Created in 2008, they are named after the “sloop” style of sailing vessels, a nod to the long‑standing tradition of Ohio’s river towns and the “Sloop” of the state’s political folklore. The awards are presented by Capitol Letters, a daily blog that covers Ohio politics, policy, and public service. The Sloopys recognize politicians, public officials, and sometimes ordinary citizens who have had a significant impact on Ohio politics over the past year, whether through legislation, activism, or public service.

The piece emphasizes that the awards blend humor with serious political commentary. Past winners have included senators, governors, city council members, and even non‑traditional candidates such as activists who have shaped public discourse. “The Sloopys have become a kind of cultural touchstone in the state,” the article quotes Capitol Letters editor Jane Porter, “celebrating both the seriousness and the silliness of politics.”

2. How the 2025 Edition is Structured

Deadline and Submission Window
Nomination submissions for the 2025 awards open on December 1 and close on January 10, 2026. The article notes that Capitol Letters encourages readers to forward a simple online form listing their candidate and a short justification of why the candidate deserves the award. The form can be accessed via the main Sloopys webpage (link provided in the article).

Categories
The 2025 Sloopys will feature twelve categories, many of which have remained unchanged from previous years:

1. Legislator of the Year – For the most influential state legislator.
2. Governor’s Choice – Recognizes the sitting governor’s impact.
3. Public Service Award – For community‑level leaders.
4. Political Innovator – For the person who introduced a novel idea or policy.
5. Humor in Politics – For the candidate who used wit to influence debate.
6. Social Media Maven – For the politician who best used social media.
7. Policy Champion – For a champion of a specific policy area (e.g., education, transportation).
8. Community Impact – For a grassroots activist or local organization.
9. Political Outsider – For a newcomer who made waves.
10. Lifetime Achievement – For a veteran politician.
11. Media Impact – For a journalist or commentator.
12. Fan Favorite – The public vote winner.

The article mentions that Capitol Letters has added a “Women in Politics” category for the first time in 2025, reflecting the increasing role of women in Ohio’s political arena.

3. Nominees and Notable Names

After reviewing the nominations, the article lists the leading candidates for each category. A few highlight names include:

• Legislator of the Year: Rep. Maria Sanchez (OH-13) for her leadership on the education bill.
• Governor’s Choice: Governor Josh Shapiro for his bipartisan climate strategy.
• Political Innovator: Sen. Mike DeWine for his work on the bipartisan Ohio Infrastructure Initiative.
• Humor in Politics: Rep. Kevin Coughlin, known for his “Gerrymandering Bingo” on the House floor.
• Social Media Maven: Rep. Amanda “Mandy” McNally for her viral TikTok campaign on voting rights.
• Lifetime Achievement: Former Governor Ted Strickland for his decades of public service.
• Women in Politics: Rep. Jill Hennessy for her advocacy on women’s reproductive rights.

The article also provides brief background information on each nominee, highlighting their most significant legislative or public achievements over the past year. It notes that Capitol Letters has made an effort to ensure a diverse representation of political parties and geographic areas within the state.

4. How Voting Works

The article explains that voting is open to anyone with a Cleveland.com or Capitol Letters subscription, and the public can also cast votes using a single‑click ballot on the Sloopys website. A “Fan Favorite” ballot is separate and is open to all registered voters in Ohio, not just subscribers. Voting is closed on February 28, 2026, giving the editorial staff time to compile the results.

Capitol Letters editorial board emphasizes the importance of community participation, stating, “The Sloopys are about bringing people together to celebrate Ohio politics, and the more voices that are heard, the richer the conversation becomes.” The article links to the official voting page, where readers can read the full nomination descriptions and vote.

5. The Awards Ceremony

The ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, at the historic Ohio Theatre in downtown Cleveland. The article highlights that this venue is a nod to the state’s rich performing‑arts tradition and has hosted many of the state’s most celebrated events. The event is slated to run from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will be televised on the local PBS affiliate, giving statewide access.

Capitol Letters editor Porter mentions that the 2025 ceremony will include a keynote address by former Governor John Kasich, who will reflect on Ohio’s political trajectory over the past decade. The article quotes a press release indicating that the ceremony will also feature a short film showcasing the lives of Ohio’s grassroots leaders, further underscoring the awards’ focus on community impact.

6. Why It Matters

The article ends by summarizing why the Sloopys are a vital cultural touchstone for Ohio. They serve as a barometer for political engagement and public sentiment. They also provide a platform for recognizing bipartisan cooperation and innovative policymaking. For the general public, the awards are a way to celebrate the achievements of people who shape their everyday lives, while also encouraging political literacy and civic participation.

“Whether you’re a long‑time political veteran or a first‑time voter, the Sloopys give you a chance to say, ‘I see you,’” Porter writes. “They bring a sense of humor to the seriousness of governance and remind us that politics, at its core, is a human story.”

7. Final Call to Action

In the final paragraphs, the Cleveland.com article urges readers to submit nominations before the January 10 deadline and to vote during the open voting period. A link to the nomination form and the voting portal are provided, along with a reminder that the “Fan Favorite” ballot is open to all Ohio voters, not just Capitol Letters subscribers. The article also invites readers to share their favorite political moments from the year on social media using the hashtag #Sloopys2025.

Conclusion

The Cleveland.com coverage of the 2025 Sloopys offers a comprehensive overview of the awards’ purpose, structure, and upcoming ceremony. It paints a vivid picture of how Ohio’s political landscape is celebrated, critiqued, and remembered through a blend of earnest recognition and playful satire. By summarizing the article in this way, readers gain a clear snapshot of what the Sloopys entail, who is up for consideration, how they can get involved, and why the awards are an important civic tradition in Ohio.