Portage Times

Gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci recently won the endorsement of the Northwest Ohio Conservative Coalition (NWOCC), according to a press release.  

The NWOCC is a political action committee that does not necessarily endorse a candidate in every election.  

"I take each of these endorsements very seriously, with gratitude and a commitment to uphold the conservative values that will make Ohio great again,” Renacci said in response to the endorsement. “Conservatives across Ohio are mobilizing to bring the right leadership to our state."

Renacci is a businessman and former U.S. representative for the 16th congressional district running against Incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine, a fellow Republican, in the GOP gubernatorial primary. He won election to U.S. Congress in 2010 as part of the Tea Party movement and later endorsed Donald Trump over then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the 201 primary for president.

DeWine, 75, was Kasich's choice to replace him as Ohio governor in 2019. He is one of the longest-serving public officials in state history, having been in elected office for 41 years. That includes stints in the Ohio State Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and as Ohio attorney general and Ohio lieutenant governor.

DeWine will face off against Jim Renacci in the May 3 GOP gubernatorial primary. The winner will go on to appear on ballots for the general election on November 8.