DeWine, Whaley will face off in Ohio governor's race
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Nan Whaley and Cheryl Stephens, the Democratic candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of Ohio. Photo: Joshua A. Bickel/The Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine successfully fended off a GOP primary challenge and will face former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley this November in his quest for another term.
Between the lines: The governor's hands-on approach early in the pandemic led a trio of fellow Republicans to run against him, but the anti-DeWine faction split its vote among the three challengers.
- The Associated Press called the race with DeWine carrying 53% of the vote against former Congressman Jim Renacci, former state representative Ron Hood and farmer Joe Blystone.
Meanwhile, Whaley defeated John Cranley in a battle of former southwest Ohio mayors seeking the Democratic nomination.
- AP called the race with Whaley tallying nearly double the vote of the former Cincinnati mayor.
State of play: Whaley could be come the first woman ever elected governor of Ohio.
- She's campaigning alongside lieutenant governor candidate Cheryl Stephens, a Cuyahoga County council member.
Be smart: The general election will pit two executive officials who once worked closely together in response to a mass shooting and tornado outbreak in 2019, followed by the pandemic a year later.
- Whaley backed the gun control legislation DeWine proposed after the deadly shooting and complimented his initial efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19.
- She's since been more critical, condemning DeWine for signing a law removing gun permit requirements and frequently referencing his administration's reported ties to the House Bill 6 scandal.
