The Columbiana County Republican Party has come out ahead of the May Primary election to endorse candidates in some crowded State races for office.
 
Candidates for Ohio Governor:
 
Ninety-two percent of the Columbiana Republican Central and Executive Committee members voted to endorse Mike DeWine for Governor but candidates did come out swinging. Governor De Wine sent a video message since he was attending his mother in law's funeral. DeWine said Ohio is the best state to raise families. 
 
"Ohio is becoming a model for states across the country.. Business and families are packing up and moving to Ohio. We're creating a record number of jobs, cutting taxes at a historic rate all the while balancing the budget," said Governor DeWine.
 
"With Intel coming to Ohio, there is no question Ohio is the global epicenter of modern manufacturing. These investments in projects are going to create huge generational opportunity for Ohio in all four corners of our state including Columbiana County. As a grandfather of 26 I'm working everyday to ensure my grandchildren, your grandchildren, and generations of Ohioans need to look no further than Ohio to find good paying jobs," added DeWine."
 
"Earlier this week Ohio Right to Life endorsed John and me for a second term. I've spent my career fighting crime. We will always stand for rule of law. I am a strong believer in protecting our constitutional rights. I've signed every pro-second amendment piece of legislation that crossed my desk, including the stand your ground law.  John Husted and I will be honored to have support and endorsement of the Columbiana County Republican Party," emphasized DeWine.
 
But former Congressman Jim Renacci who is running for governor says Ohio needs change stating it ranks number one nationwide in public corruption involving elected officials, and in the top 5th for human trafficking and 5th for overdose deaths and addiction.
He says the state lost 200-thousand??? jobs in the last 2 years saying the state's regulatory and tax systems need change.
 
"Ohio is 36th to 50th in just about everything, 36th in jobs, 36 to 50 percent in business favorability, 37th in tax favorability these statistics are out there, you don't have to take it from me. They're out there, and we can't compete with other states because we haven't changed  the things we need to change," said Renacci. 
 
Renacci added, "Intel was a two billion dollar investment of your money to bring in Intel and we're not even guaranteed it's even going to be here. ... We have to be willing to make changes. We have to have a vision to move our state forward. Number one we have to change our education system. The problem with this governor is he doesn't step up. He doesn't say I want this on my desk, I want CRT gone in our schools, I want social emotional learning gone in our schools, I want comprehensive sex education gone in our schools. He has to be able to do that Governors should be able to do that."
 
Renacci told the crowd that veterans in Ohio need to be taken care of first before illegal immigration moving into our state before our veterans are taken care of first. He explained Ohio needs lawmakers to support a voter ID.
 
"You can't be pro-life and appoint a medical director who is pro-abortion and you can't allow abortion facilities to stay open, when your closing businesses. That is not a pro-life governor. I promise you I will be a pro-life governor. Thirty-five percent of Ohio republicans say they will never vote for this governor again. We are going through a time where it's not about the person anymore. It's about the policy, it's about the program, it's about the future. I hope I can win your vote and endorsement today," said Renacci.
 
Stacey Jarrett who is a regional leader in the Mahoning Valley for Joe Blystone for Governor campaign. He is has a very busy schedule and could not be here today.
 
Stacy Jarrett spoke for Farmer Joe Blystone criticizing closing down Ohio's economy, mask mandates, and vaccine mandates to work.  
 
"Joe Blystone supports House Bill 248, that prohibits vaccine discrimination in schools and in the workplace. Businesses labeled as non essential were forced by the state and local government to shutter operations. By April 2021 it was reported that 30 percent of Ohio businesses had still remained closed. The Ohio Restaurant Association announced that 3,000 restuarants had closed their restaurants permanently," said Jarrett. 
 
"Ohio ranks 33rd in job creation since 2019 and in 2021. Our schools were shut down, masks, no masks. There was no fluid response. Achievement scores showed participation and achievement scores in kindergarten and the third grade drastically declined especially in the urban schools and especially in schools where there was only remote learning," added Jarrett.
 
"There are 3,009 public schools in this state and only 49 vocational schools. Joe Blystone knows that not focusing on the trades, has put our economy at a disadvantage," emphasized Jarrett.
 
 Former State Representative Ron Hood, who is running for governor did not attend. 
 
 Candidates for Ohio Secretary of State:
 
Secretary of State Frank LaRose won the endorsement with 100 percent over his opponent John Adams, who did not attend. 
 
LaRose said, "It has been an honor to serve as Secretary of State for the last 3 years. You will hear me talk about the mission as an Army Veteran. As Secretary of State my mission is to help people vote in an honest election and help form a new business. In 202 we had over 171,000 new businesses start in the Buckeye state and in 2021 we had over 196,000 new businesses begin."
 
"I'm proud to say Ohio ran an honest election. Boy did we get it right. Donald Trump got over three million votes and by the way that's a record nobody in our state's history has gotten over three million votes running for president. And when a lot of other states stumbled and couldn't get it right, you saw on election night Ohioans knew the results of the election and Ohioans knew it was an honest contest, and that is something we take pride in," said LaRose.
 
"We audit every election, every election without fail. There is a 100 percent paper trail that gets audited and by the way when we audited the 2020 election we had a 99.98 accuracy rate. Other states need to follow our example," emphasized LaRose
 
 Other endorsements by the Columbiana Central and Executive Committee members:
 
Jane Timken the former Ohio Republican Party Chair received the endorsement for a U.S. Senate Seat with 80 percent of the vote.
 
Michael Rulli received the endorsement for State Senator. 
 
State Representative Monica Rob Blasedale will succeed Tim Ginter 
 
Dave Johnson won all but his opponents vote for the State Central Committee.  That committee helps over see the party. Johnson is also the Columbiana County Republican Party Committee Chairman.
 
Mike Halleck is endorsed for Columbiana County Commissioner.
 
Nancy Miliken is endorsed for Columbiana County Auditor.
 
Scott Washum received the endorsement for  Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
 
Congressman Bill Johnson also accepted the party nomination for his reelection.