Former president Donald Trump endorsed nearly all elected Republican statewide officeholders and members of Congress before the May primary. But he didn鈥檛 back anyone in the race for governor then, though both and were overtly angling for his support.
Four months later, DeWine has millions in his campaign bank and polls are suggesting he holds a big lead. Trump has now endorsed him.
DeWine backed Trump both in 2016 and in 2020, serving as a co-chair of his re-election campaign, along with nearly every other prominent Republican officeholder in Ohio.
But DeWine did congratulate President Biden soon after his win and blasted Trump the day after the violent insurrection on the U.S. Capitol last January.
"President Trump's continued refusal to accept the election results without producing credible evidence of a rigged election has started a fire that's threatened to burn down our democracy," said DeWine at a press conference on January 7, 2021.
Trump has apparently looked past that with his endorsement, in which he said: "Things are really starting to look good in Ohio for Republicans". Trump called DeWine 鈥渁n outstanding person鈥� who 鈥渜uietly, but professionally and patriotically, goes about doing his job, and really well鈥�. Trump called Lt. Gov. Jon Husted 鈥渧ery talented and loyal.鈥�
DeWine tweeted out the endorsement, saying he was 鈥済rateful鈥� to 鈥淧resident Trump鈥�.
Lt. Governor and I are grateful for President Trump鈥檚 support! Thank you.
— Mike DeWine (@MikeDeWine)
DeWine hasn't done any campaigning with Trump in the last year, but Trump has only had one event in Ohio recently - the that featured Trump-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate JD Vance along with Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Auditor Keith Faber and some members of Congress. DeWine did not appear at the event.
Democratic opponent , 鈥淎fter avoiding being seen with Trump for years, he鈥檚 happy to take his endorsement now that he needs it.鈥�
Copyright 2022 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit .
