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By Overwhelming Vote, Ohio GOP Endorses DeWine Over Taylor's Strong Objection

Mike DeWine and Jon Husted at the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee meeting after delivering a speech to seek the party's endorsement.
Andy Chow
Mike DeWine and Jon Husted at the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee meeting after delivering a speech to seek the party's endorsement.

The Ohio Republican Party has voted to endorse Attorney General Mike DeWine as their gubernatorial candidate. DeWine’s running against Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, who had very strong words for how the endorsement process went down. 

Taylor started her contentious speech to the Republican state central committee by referring to the conference hall as “Mike DeWine’s living room” and followed with burn after burn saying the endorsement was a coronation.

Taylor says Ohioans don’t want the party establishment making their choice for them.

“This absolutely represents the good ole’ boy career politician establishment that wants to have things their way,” says Taylor.

DeWine says he was sad to hear the comments and counters that his team has a good idea of what Ohioans want.

“We know what the challenges are. No one’s traveled this state more than Jon Husted and Mike DeWine have.”

In the end, the committee voted to endorse DeWine by a vote of 59-2.

Taylor says the next challenge is getting DeWine to agree to a debate.

Copyright 2018 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.