As a moderate Republican, Gov. Mike DeWine has routinely shown Ohioans he is not afraid to make difficult decisions when it comes to matters such as gun laws, the pandemic and death penalty enforcement. Despite political division across the country, Ohio's incumbent governor stands on his beliefs.
High on DeWine's list of first-term accomplishments is landing the $20 billion Intel factory project, now underway in central Ohio. When it's finished, the factory is expected to create 3,000 company jobs -- many of them highly skilled -- and 7,000 construction jobs. He has helped send a clear message that Ohio is open for business and wants to be a good partner to corporations looking to relocate. Ohio is on its way to becoming a manufacturing state once more.
DeWine also has done an outstanding job reshoring jobs to Ohio, as he consistently stresses to JobsOhio, the agency that handles the state's economic development, the importance of focusing efforts on communities outside Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
DeWine will face Democrat Nan Whaley, former mayor of Dayton, in the Nov. 8 race for governor.
As a former county prosecutor and Ohio Attorney General, DeWine has proven he is serious about fighting crime. On that front, Whaley accuses DeWine of caving to the gun lobby by backing permitless concealed carry, stand your ground legislation and arming of classroom teachers. But he maintains his belief in the Second Amendment and knows the state's focus needs to be on keeping guns out of the hands of violent offenders banned from possessing firearms.
DeWine backed legislation that clearly allows local control over whether to arm teachers -- where it belongs.
DeWine's conservative, thoughtful approach to these and many other issues has and will serve Ohio well. Whaley's liberal approach could force a reversal in the progress Ohio has made in business growth -- a rising tide that promises to lift all boats in the Buckeye State if we let it.
Because of his proven record, we endorse Mike DeWine for re-election as Ohio governor.