COLUMBUS — Republican Mike DeWine is set to take his public oath of office as Ohio’s 70th governor in a Statehouse ceremony before family and friends.
The event Monday afternoon follows the former U.S. senator’s private midnight swearing-in at his Cedarville home (pictured above), where the oath of office was administered by DeWine’s son, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Patrick DeWine. DeWine took the oath with his hand atop nine family Bibles, held by First Lady Fran DeWine.
As soon as he was sworn in, DeWine signed a half-dozen executive orders banning discrimination in state personnel decisions on the basis of gender identity, pregnancy or being a foster parent, among other categories. Other orders focused on children’s services and substance abuse recovery initiatives and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in state hiring.
He and running mate Jon Husted led a GOP sweep of nonjudicial, statewide offices in November. DeWine defeated Democrat Richard Cordray to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. John Kasich.
Husted also took the oath of office as Ohio’s Lt. Governor early Monday at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Upper Arlington (right). Husted’s wife, Tina, held a family Bible as the oath was administered by state Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard).
DeWine is among the state’s most well-known politicians after serving in elected office for four decades. He has been a state lawmaker, congressman, lieutenant governor and, most recently, state attorney general.
He is the oldest person elected Ohio governor, having turned 72 on Jan. 5. His physician vouched before the election that DeWine was in “very good” health.