Cleveland Reporter

The Strongsville GOP has voted 63-4 in favor of endorsing Jim Renacci and Joe Knopp for Ohio's next governor and lieutenant governor. The pair won the endorsement of the Clermont County GOP last week by a vote of 77-29.

“It’s clear that Ohio Republicans are looking for the pro-Trump conservative leadership I will deliver as governor,” Renacci said in Feb. 8 release. 

“It’s time for (Gov. Mike) DeWine to listen to Republicans and step aside before Ohio becomes a liberal blue state," he said. “Joe Knopp and I will make Ohio a thriving red state that’s open for business and where the American dream can come true."

Not all conservative Republicans have been satisfied with DeWine's leadership. In response to DeWine's COVID-19 mitigation measures, Ohio Republicans drafted articles of impeachment against the governor in August 2020. 

Jeremy Pelzer, writing for Cleveland.com, noted, "While the chances of DeWine [...] being removed from office are very slim, the articles of impeachment reflect ongoing dissatisfaction from many conservative lawmakers about the governor's coronavirus response." 

Rep. John Baker listed 10 reasons DeWine should be impeached, which included violating separation of powers, unconstitutionally forcing businesses to close, failing to plan for and support "more than a million newly unemployed Ohioans," closing schools and violating First Amendment rights.

Renacci is a businessman and former U.S. representative for the 16th congressional district running against DeWine, a fellow Republican, in the 2022 GOP gubernatorial primary on May 3.

DeWine, 74, was Kasich's choice to replace him as Ohio governor in 2019. He is one of the longest-serving public officials in state history, having been in elected office for 41 years. That includes stints in the Ohio State Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and as Ohio attorney general and Ohio lieutenant governor.