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Some Republicans Urge Ohio GOP Not To Endorse Candidates

Ohio Republican Party headquarters, Columbus, Ohio
Karen Kasler
/
Ohio Public Radio
Ohio Republican Party headquarters, Columbus, Ohio

Republicans who have been critical of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and other top GOP officeholders are backing their own slate of candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and more. Some of these candidates are considered long shots. Now, a group that backs those candidates is asking the state party to avoid endorsing anyone in next year’s spring primary.

Tom Hach with the group, “Free Ohio Now,” said members of his group, many of whom are Republican, are pressuring the Ohio Republican Party’s State Central Committee NOT to endorse candidates for the May primary at this week’s meeting.

“The endorsed candidates get not only access to money but also administrative support, access to fundraisers, and other things that the other candidates do not have," said Hach.

Hach said his group won’t endorse any candidates before the primary either if the state party refrains from doing so. A spokeswoman for the party said endorsements are not on this Friday’s agenda but wouldn’t comment on whether the party might decide to endorse candidates in the future.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.