State senator wants buckeye named Ohio's official candy before Michigan game

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The senator behind a bill to name the buckeye Ohio's official candy hopes it passes before Ohio State's football season ends, "that way we can celebrate making the buckeye our official state candy and then give That Team Up North their just desserts," he said.

Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) introduced Senate Bill 247 in August to officially designate the buckeye confection as Ohio's state candy. During the bill's first hearing on Oct. 22 in the Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee, DeMora said the peanut butter and chocolate treat "has become a long-lasting beloved tradition for generations of families all over Ohio."

"Go anywhere and you’ll find them in bakeries, grocery stores, candy shops, and even kitchens made from scratch. Families pass down their favorite recipes. Parents teach their kids how to roll the peanut butter balls right before dipping in chocolate," DeMora said during the hearing. "And of course, no Ohio State tailgate is complete without a plate of buckeyes on the table. It's something we all share, from Cincinnati to Columbus to Cleveland, and everywhere in between."

"As someone who represents the Ohio State University, I'd sure love to see this bill pass before the end of football season," the senator continued.

Ohio State is undefeated and the top-ranked team in the country this season. It ends the regular season with its traditional game against Michigan on Nov. 29.

When S.B. 247 was introduced this summer, DeMora argued that the candy's enduring popularity and cultural relevance make it a fitting addition to Ohio's collection of state symbols, which includes the Ohio buckeye tree, the cardinal, and the scarlet carnation. While Ohio also lacks an official fish, lawmakers have put forward a bill to name the walleye the state fish.

DeMora's bill came shortly after state Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma) also put forward House Bill 418 to correct a long-standing error in the official record concerning the buckeye tree's scientific name. Since 1953, Ohio law has listed the Latin name as Aesculus globra, a misspelling of the correct term, Aesculus glabra.

"As a proud Buckeye, I believe our state's official symbols deserve to be represented with accuracy and respect," Brennan said in a press release. "This isn't just a matter of spelling -- it's about honoring the natural heritage of Ohio and ensuring the revised code reflects the same excellence we expect in every part of state government."

H.B. 418, assigned to the Ohio House General Government Committee where it has yet to receive a hearing, makes no substantive change to the tree's designation, the legislator noted. Instead, it aims to reflect attention to detail and pride in Ohio's identity, he said.

"Whether you’re a botanist, a student, or just a proud Ohioan, you deserve a state law that gets the buckeye right," Brennan added.

S.B. 247 may receive additional Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee hearing open for public testimony.