Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted opted to skip a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump on Saturday in Delaware County.
Trump used the event to boost candidates he has endorsed for office, including J.D. Vance for U.S. Senate, Mike Carey for Congress, and Frank LaRose for Secretary of State, ahead of the May 3 GOP primary.
However, the former president has not weighed in on DeWine’s statewide race, where he faces Republican challengers Jim Renacci and Joe Blystone.
Previously, DeWine tested positive for COVID-19 and had “mild symptoms,” according to a press release from his office. Based on the latest CDC guidelines, individuals should “isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter.”
DeWine first tested positive for the virus on April 15, eight days before the visit.
Even before the positive test, DeWine had noted a potential scheduling conflict with a celebration for the 200th birthday of former President Ulysses S. Grant.
Furthermore, Lieutenant Governor Husted chose to skip the event. According to his social media, he traveled to the Monroe County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner.
Honored to speak at the Monroe County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner last night. Gov @MikeDeWine and I are fighting every day for Ohioans, and we’re winning once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for our great state. Special thanks to Chairman Weber! pic.twitter.com/sYuzirTMKJ
— Jon Husted (@JonHusted) April 24, 2022
In June, the duo skipped a separate Trump rally, citing an additional “scheduling conflict.”
However, DeWine’s opponents argue he purposefully did not attend the events.
“Mike DeWine’s first excuse was Ulysses S. Grant, then it was COVID, but what was Jon Husted’s excuse? We all know the answer. Neither of them wanted to be there because they knew they would be held accountable by Ohio conservatives for opposing President Trump and the MAGA movement every step of the way. The energy behind Trump and the America First agenda at Saturday’s rally was incredible. Ohio Republicans are ready to elect a NEW governor who will actually fight for that agenda in Columbus and SUPPORT President Trump if he runs again in 2024!” remarked challenger Jim Renacci in an emailed release.
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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 Governor Mike DeWine. Photo “Jon Husted” by Vivien McClain. CC BY-SA 4.0. Background Photo “Trump Rally” by CTSP2020. CC BY-SA 4.0.
