Jim Renacci campaigns for Ohio governor
Ohio Republicans are headed for the crossroads in the May primary. They must decide to either stick with their current governor or go a different route.Given the hard right’s dissatisfaction with Mike DeWine, there’s some thought that Jim Renacci could pull an upset.Renacci certainly sounds as though it will happen.You might say, the primary he’s in has an inferiority complex, given the political bloodbath that is the Senate race. It is taking up most of the political oxygen right now.But Renacci is trying to get you to pay more attention.In Butler County recently, Renacci stoked the fire among conservatives who believe they’ve been burned by Gov. Mike DeWine.”They think our state is failing and it was one of the reasons why I stepped up,” he told us.”Now, you have pockets in the state that are doing well. This county’s doing well. But go around the state. Steubenville, you know, some of the other towns, Youngstown, they’re dying.”Renacci told folks at the Butler County endorsement gathering that he would bring a robust business perspective as Governor, focused on quality of life issues to make the state more competitive.”And by the way, we’re going to have to change some things. We’re going to have to change our tax system. We’re going to have to change our spending. We spend too much. We tax too much. And that’s one of the reasons we can’t compete.”He speaks the language of former President Donald Trump, who has not endorsed anyone in the race — at least not yet.Asked if he’s disappointed by that, Renacci responded, “Not yet. But look, I’ve talked to President Trump just a few weeks back. The president’s looking at this race. He’s looking at a lot of races. He’s busy. He’s always been a supporter of mine. We’ll see what ends up.”The primary could end up as a national indicator if Ohio’s Trump base rejects a sitting governor from their own party.There are Trump base conservatives who consider DeWine a traitor in the way he handled the pandemic issues, viewing him now as a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only).But DeWine has no name recognition gap among Ohio Republicans.Renacci does.That could leave him short of where he wants to be as he brings his campaign to May 3’rd.Here’s how he believes he can capitalize.”I’m only known by 75% of Ohio Republicans,” he said. “The polls show that if I get that 25% that get to know me, they don’t want to vote for Mike DeWine either, I win this thing. So, I’m happy where we’re at, I think we’re in the right place.”The state party endorsed DeWine over Renacci and a third Republican who is running, Joe Blystone.But Renacci was undeterred.He has the backing of the Clermont County GOP. And he won the endorsement in Butler County as well.He believes his effort to upend DeWine and be the Republican standard-bearer is gaining traction at the right time.Renacci’s running hard to the right, thinking that’s the right strategy to stop DeWine early in ’22.
Ohio Republicans are headed for the crossroads in the May primary. They must decide to either stick with their current governor or go a different route.
Given the hard right’s dissatisfaction with Mike DeWine, there’s some thought that Jim Renacci could pull an upset.
Renacci certainly sounds as though it will happen.
You might say, the primary he’s in has an inferiority complex, given the political bloodbath that is the Senate race. It is taking up most of the political oxygen right now.
But Renacci is trying to get you to pay more attention.
In Butler County recently, Renacci stoked the fire among conservatives who believe they’ve been burned by Gov. Mike DeWine.
“They think our state is failing and it was one of the reasons why I stepped up,” he told us.
“Now, you have pockets in the state that are doing well. This county’s doing well. But go around the state. Steubenville, you know, some of the other towns, Youngstown, they’re dying.”
Renacci told folks at the Butler County endorsement gathering that he would bring a robust business perspective as Governor, focused on quality of life issues to make the state more competitive.
“And by the way, we’re going to have to change some things. We’re going to have to change our tax system. We’re going to have to change our spending. We spend too much. We tax too much. And that’s one of the reasons we can’t compete.”
He speaks the language of former President Donald Trump, who has not endorsed anyone in the race — at least not yet.
Asked if he’s disappointed by that, Renacci responded, “Not yet. But look, I’ve talked to President Trump just a few weeks back. The president’s looking at this race. He’s looking at a lot of races. He’s busy. He’s always been a supporter of mine. We’ll see what ends up.”
The primary could end up as a national indicator if Ohio’s Trump base rejects a sitting governor from their own party.
There are Trump base conservatives who consider DeWine a traitor in the way he handled the pandemic issues, viewing him now as a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only).
But DeWine has no name recognition gap among Ohio Republicans.
Renacci does.
That could leave him short of where he wants to be as he brings his campaign to May 3’rd.
Here’s how he believes he can capitalize.
“I’m only known by 75% of Ohio Republicans,” he said. “The polls show that if I get that 25% that get to know me, they don’t want to vote for Mike DeWine either, I win this thing. So, I’m happy where we’re at, I think we’re in the right place.”
The state party endorsed DeWine over Renacci and a third Republican who is running, Joe Blystone.
But Renacci was undeterred.
He has the backing of the Clermont County GOP. And he won the endorsement in Butler County as well.
He believes his effort to upend DeWine and be the Republican standard-bearer is gaining traction at the right time.
Renacci’s running hard to the right, thinking that’s the right strategy to stop DeWine early in ’22.
Read More: Jim Renacci campaigns for Ohio governor