Cleveland Reporter

Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci recently criticized Gov. Mike DeWine in response to reports that showed Ohio ranked poorly nationwide in terms of tax systems.

Ohio ranks ninth in the nation for highest taxes paid, according to an April 1 press release from Renacci’s campaign.

The Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index found Ohio is 41st in the country for individual income tax burden and 40th for business tax burden.

Similarly, a recent WalletHub report ranked Ohio the 43rd tax-friendliest state in the nation. Ohioans pay almost 22% more in taxes than the average American taxpayer.

"It's absurd that we've had a so-called Republican governor for the past four years and our tax system is still one of the highest and least competitive in the country," Renacci said in a statement. "We have to make our state one of the most desirable places to work and create jobs, and that starts by cutting our tax code and getting our spending under control. As governor, I'll get to work overhauling our tax code and budget to make Ohio's economy great again."

The average Ohio household will end up paying more than $8,000 in state and local taxes in 2022 according to the Ohio Press Network. Referencing the WalletHub study, the Ohio Press Network reported that 81% of Americans believe the government spends their tax dollars unwisely.

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 Gov. John Kasich in the 2016 primary for president, West Hamilton News reported.

DeWine, 74, was Kasich's choice to replace him as Ohio governor in 2019, according to West Hamilton News. 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.

The two will challenge one another in the May 3 GOP gubernatorial primary, according to Ballotpedia. The winner will go on to appear on ballots for the general election Nov. 8.