U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci announced his aspirations Monday to become Ohio’s next governor, challenging the second-in-command to term-limited Gov. John Kasich in the 2018 Republican primary.
Renacci, who’s been a congressman since 2010, framed himself as a political outsider on his campaign website and in a news release. He touted his business success prior to his political career, noting that he comes from a poor family but asserting that his American values allowed him to transcend his roots.
“Those are the values that have guided me ever since, and I’ve been blessed to have truly lived the American Dream as I’ve traveled the road from struggle to success,” Renacci, 58, said in the release. “Sadly, for far too many Americans that dream is no longer a reality, and that road to success is often a dead end reserved only for the privileged and the politically connected.”
Renacci, who served as mayor of Wadsworth from 2004 to 2008 before his election to Congress, noted how he owned and operated more than 60 business entities in his 30-year career. He said he created more than 1,500 jobs and employed 3,000 people over his career.
On his website, Renacci said he set aside his businesses six years ago to focus full time on his political career. He will focus on ending what he described as overregulation that “holds back” Ohio businesses.
He vowed to be a candidate for the people.
“For far too long, career politicians in both Washington and Columbus have been looking out for themselves, not us, and now more than ever we need a serious, conservative outsider to lead our state who will always put Ohio first,” he said. “We need a leader who will end the ‘pay to play’ sweetheart deals that have corrupted Columbus.”
But Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said Renacci “represents the worst of Washington.” Pepper alleged Renacci has avoided town halls with constituents and consistently voted in line with other Republicans.
“He’s voted for the Ryan budget, which ends Medicare as we know it. He’s voted for Trumpcare, which would blow a billion-dollar hole in the state budget and even John Kasich opposes,” Pepper said. “Ohio has the nation’s worst heroin crisis, and Renacci just voted to gut Medicaid and eliminate $115 million in public health funding for Ohio. Columbus is already dysfunctional as it is; we don’t need Renacci bringing nasty, D.C.-style obstruction to Ohio.”
Renacci’s campaign website is OhioFirst.com.
He will challenge Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted are expected to join the race.
Democrats fighting so far to become governor include former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, state Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni, former state Rep. Connie Pillich and former Wayne County Commissioner Dave Kiefer.
Renacci’s bid makes him the third person from the Akron area to run for governor in 2018. Taylor is from Green, and Sutton is from Copley. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, has announced he won’t run. His district includes part of Summit County.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook @JournoNickGlunt .