Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost will resign from office effective June 7 to take a leadership position with the national legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom.
Late Thursday afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine released a statement thanking Yost for his decades of public service and confirming that a replacement will be appointed following his departure.
“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,” DeWine said. “I wish him the best in his next endeavor.”
DeWine also emphasized the importance of the Attorney General’s Office and said he would give “thoughtful and deliberate consideration” to appointing Yost’s successor.
At the same time, Alliance Defending Freedom announced that Yost will join the organization as Vice President of Strategic Research and Innovation.
The organization, commonly known as ADF, describes itself as the world’s largest legal organization focused on defending religious liberty, free speech, parental rights, and other constitutional issues.
The group has argued and won several major cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including the landmark Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
ADF CEO and President Kristen Waggoner praised Yost’s addition to the organization.
“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.
Yost said he is eager to begin the new role.
“This is a moment of unprecedented change and uncertainty, and the stakes for our foundational freedoms could not be higher,” Yost said. “ADF isn’t just responding to these threats—it’s leading the charge.”
Yost has served as Ohio’s 51st Attorney General since 2019.
Before that, he served two terms as Ohio Auditor of State, where he became known for uncovering government waste and corruption.
He also previously served as Delaware County Prosecutor and worked in private legal practice.
In his new position, Yost will focus on expanding ADF’s research initiatives and helping develop strategies aimed at advancing constitutional and religious freedom issues both nationally and internationally.
