Founded in 1901, the SPO was an affiliate of the Socialist Party of America.

The Socialist Party of Ohio was founded in 1901 and inherited a tradition of independent labor political organization.

It grew modestly from its establishment until the Panic of 1907 and then again during the years immediately before World War I.

[1] The Socialist Party of Ohio qualified for ballot access[2] in the United States Senate election in Ohio, 2010.

SPOH candidate Dan La Botz received 25 368 votes (0.68%); the Republican winner Rob Portman received 2.125 million votes (57.25%) and the Democratic candidate Lee Fisher received 1.448 million votes (39.00%).