Central Ohio Today

Republican State Rep. Nino Vitale is stepping up to endorse Jim Renacci in his bid to unseat incumbent Gov. Michael DeWine in the May 3 primary race.

In a news release from its website, Renacci’s campaign unveiled more than 50 new endorsements from individuals and organizations, including Vitale. According to the website, Renacci is a businessman and a former U.S. representative from Ohio’s 16th Congressional District. Vitale, a Republican from Urbana, said he decided to offer an endorsement in the primary race because he maintains that the state is in poor shape, the result of what he termed as a “corrupt Ohio Republican Party led by DeWine.” 

“I met with Mr. Renacci, asked him questions that a Christian conservative like me cares about most, and he passed my test on the key areas,” Vitale said, who according to Ballotpedia.org first took office in 2015 representing the 85th House district. “I ask tough questions and I don't let people weasel out of them.”

According to West Hamilton News, DeWine was picked by former Gov. John Kasich to replace him in 2019, when Kasich was prevented by term limits from running for a third term as governor. However, Vitale calls DeWine “one of the top 5 problems in Ohio” and he points out that the other four leading issues are a result of his actions. 

“Government has a horrible habit of creating a problem, then acting like it is the savior and DeWine is a master of deception,” he said. "One example is claiming to be pro-life while keeping all nine Ohio abortions clinics open and packed, because they are essential, during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a 40-plus year career politician. He's wrong on babies, guns, freedom, COVID-19, even fiscal responsibility.”

According to the West Hamilton News report, DeWine has held elected office for 41 years, making him one of the longest tenured public servants in Ohio history. He has held office in the Ohio State Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state attorney general, lieutenant governor and governor. Vitale said he hopes Ohio sends DeWine into retirement, but acknowledged his fundraising prowess makes it an uphill battle. He added that the office is a tough position with a lot of power and Renacci stands out as a leader.

“Renacci has been in office and has the most conservative voting record we can look at,” Vitale said. “Renacci has been a business person and not in politics his entire life. That said, he's also putting up over $5 million of his own money to save Ohio from DeWine. I honor a man who puts his treasure up to save people from disaster. He has the experience and war chest to take on DeWine and win.”

Vitale said DeWine received a "D" from the CATO Institute on fiscal responsibility.

The West Hamilton News report noted that Renacci was the owner of the Columbus Destroyers Arena Football League team and was first elected to Congress in 2010 during the Tea Party movement. In 2016, he endorsed former President Donald Trump over Kasich in the primary race for the Republican presidential nomination. 

Renacci’s campaign website provided a list of endorsements, which included a number of individuals from around the state as well as the Clermont County Republican Party, Conservative Republican Leadership Committee, Ohio Women for Trump, Ohio Value Voters and Northeast Ohio Conservative Club.