Ohio GOP endorses DeWine

Sunny 95In this photo from Jan. 7, 2022, Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine meet with members of the Ohio National Guard at the Defense Supply Center Columbus as the Guard reported for duty to assist with efforts to combat COVID-19 in hospitals around the state. (FILE/Ofc. of Gov. Mike DeWine/Twitter)

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio Republican Party has endorsed GOP incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine for re-election.

The endorsement came at a party meeting Friday via secret ballot.

Members of the state central committee also endorsed the other four non-judicial GOP candidates: Secretary of State Frank LaRose; Attorney General Dave Yost; Treasurer Robert Sprague; and Auditor Keith Faber.

The party’s central committee endorsed DeWine and GOP Lt. Gov. Jon Husted 36-26 via secret ballot.

DeWine tweeted his thanks to the party.

The 75-year-old DeWine has faced criticism from some fellow Republicans over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.