“Not Leading,” “DeWine Was Warned” and “I Don’t Know Him:” What’s Making Headlines With Republican #OHGOV Candidates This Week
April 11, 2022
Good Monday afternoon, and welcome back to Mike Check, your weekly source of all the infighting, conspiracy spewing and corruption that’s making headlines in and around the Republican governor’s race and Mike DeWine’s statehouse, courtesy of the Ohio Democratic Party.
As the gubernatorial race heats up, Republicans are in disarray with Mike DeWine’s popularity dropping by the day, facing attacks both inside and outside of the Republican Party and having to answer for the largest public corruption scandal in state history. It’s hard to keep up with all of the corruption and mess surrounding Mike DeWine and the GOP gubernatorial primary, so here are some stories you may have missed:
DEWINE DID NOT TAKE THE LEAD. If you’re looking for a leader on redistricting (or anything other than corruption, really), Mike DeWine is not the answer. This week, the Cincinnati Enquirer outlined previous comments from DeWine promising to take the lead on redistricting and how his actions haven’t reflected those promises. Instead of leading, DeWine has caved to legislative leaders time and time again, voting or signing into law each set of GOP-gerrymandered maps that has come before him. It’s clear DeWine is too weak to take the lead and will always put his own political interests over the needs of hard-working Ohioans.
DEWINE WAS WARNED. It turns out that even Mike DeWine’s closest advisors thought appointing shady Sam Randazzo was a bad idea. Cleveland.com broke a story on Sunday showing a former DeWine campaign staffer, attorney J.B. Hadden, expressed concerns about appointing Randazzo shortly after DeWine took office, saying DeWine would regret the appointment. Those concerns were also shared with those in DeWine’s closest orbit, including former chief of staff Laurel Dawson. Of course, DeWine refused to listen, appointed Randazzo anyway and even after an FBI raid of Randazzo’s home, still said he did “very, very good work,” while saying he did not know about FirstEnergy’s payments to Randazzo. This latest example of failed leadership shows just how far DeWine will go to ignore what is right and only help those special interests with deep pockets who can help him and his family members.
I DON’T KNOW HIM. Mike DeWine’s latest campaign ad shows a very different Mike DeWine than any of us have come to recognize. A commentary from Ohio Capital Journal skewered the ad, calling it “laughably bogus” and anointed DeWine “an unflinching champion of self-serving politics and party,” while questioning policy after policy made by DeWine that has hurt hard-working Ohioans the most.
Thanks for catching up with us, that’s all the Mike Check we’ve got for this week. If you have questions my email is [email protected]. Have a great week!
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