Ohio GOP gubernatorial contender Jim Renacci picked up the endorsement of the Butler County GOP, beating out incumbent Governor Mike DeWine.
The support complements the endorsement of the Clermont County Republican Party, who voted to support Renacci with 77 of the possible 106 committee members’ votes.
“Ohio conservatives are demanding strong leadership and want a governor who stands up for Ohio when our liberal president tries to shut us down. We are fed up with Mike DeWine’s corrupt and scandalous politics,” the former congressman said in a statement.
In addition to the local endorsements, recent polls have demonstrated that DeWine may face a tough challenge against his Republican rivals.
According to results from 1,088 likely voters, in a poll commissioned by the Committee for a Better Ohio, Renacci edged out DeWine by one percentage point. Joe Blystone gathered 19 percent of the vote.
While Renacci has picked up the endorsement of the local county parties, the state GOP opted to support DeWine.
“We are proud to support Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, Attorney General Dave Yost, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Auditor Keith Faber, and Treasurer Robert Sprague. With endorsements from the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee, our experienced slate of incumbent candidates will continue to deliver results for Ohio’s working families. I appreciate the leadership and spirited conversation from all of our committee members during today’s meeting,” the group said in a statement after the vote.
DeWine, who is looking to secure GOP support across the state, welcomed the backing.
“I’m so honored by the outpouring of support that we’ve received from all four corners of our great state,” said the governor. “Thank you. Thank you to our supporters across Ohio, and thank you to the Ohio Republican Party for endorsing Lieutenant Governor Jon Husten and me to serve for four more years. We will keep fighting and winning for Ohio.”
Thank you to the @OhioGOP for endorsing @JonHusted and me to serve you for four more years.
We will keep fighting and WINNING for Ohio! pic.twitter.com/ZWzEA0IfjP— Mike DeWine (@MikeDeWine) February 18, 2022
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mike DeWine” by Mike DeWine. Photo “Jim Renacci” by Jim Renacci.Â
