Cleveland Reporter

Jim Renacci won the endorsement of the Lorain County Tea Party and Geauga County Conservative Club (GCCC) in his bid to unseat incumbent Governor Mike DeWine, Renacci's campaign said in a news release.

"Jim Renacci is the full package for conservatives," GCCC Chairman Mario Innocenzi said. "He spent four decades in the business world growing businesses, employing people, and was focused on success. His short time in Congress, he was a leader for us and for President Trump. Ohio just cannot afford to mess this election up. We can't afford four more years of DeWine/Biden policies."

The GCCC voted unanimously to endorse Renacci, according to the release.

"I am humbled to have the endorsements of these grassroots groups," the candidate said. "While Mike DeWine is announcing more pay-for-play endorsements, the voters are clearly coming forward to support the team who has an Ohio-first plan to fix this state. Our campaign has the momentum and the support from the people to make sure we end the anti-Trump, anti-Ohio policies."

Renacci previously won the endorsements of the Clermont County Republicans, Butler County Republicans, We the People Convention, and Strongsville GOP, according to his website.   

Renacci, 63, is an accountant and entrepreneur. He won election to U.S. Congress in 2010 as part of the Tea Party movement and later endorsed Donald Trump over then-Ohio Governor John Kasich in the 2016 primary for president, his website said.

DeWine and Renacci will face off in the GOP gubernatorial primary on May 3. The winner will go on to appear on ballots for the general election on November 8.               

DeWine, 74, was Kasich's choice to replace him as Ohio governor in 2019, the West Hamilton News reported. 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, and U.S.  Senate, plus positions as Ohio attorney general and Ohio lieutenant governor.