Three of Ohio's leading business organizations on Wednesday jointly endorsed Republican Mike DeWine in the Buckeye State's gubernatorial race.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Manufacturers' Association, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses–Ohio (NFIB) made the announcement at a press conference in Columbus, the state capital.
"The top priority Jon Husted and I have is to make Ohio the best place in the nation to find a career, do business, and raise a family, and we are so proud to have Ohio's job creators standing with our campaign," DeWine, the current Ohio attorney general, said at the event.
Leaders of all three groups praised DeWine and his running mate, Jon Husted, saying the Republican ticket would be good for creating jobs and increasing business in Ohio.
"Mike DeWine is committed to making Ohio the best state in the Midwest in which to do business," said Andrew Doehrel, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. "In combination with his running mate, Secretary of State Jon Husted, the ticket offers unmatched experience, an outstanding record of accomplishment, and a vision for the future that offers hope to every Ohioan."
"The DeWine-Husted team has the kind of frontline knowledge and experience that will serve Ohio well," said Scott Balogh, chairman of the Ohio Manufacturers' Association. "As it faces complex challenges, Ohio deserves strong leaders with vision and commitment to capitalize on opportunities. We believe those leaders are Mike DeWine and Jon Husted."
"NFIB members from across Ohio have made it clear that Mike DeWine is the best candidate for Ohio governor to help them own, operate, and grow their business," said Roger Geiger, vice president and executive director of NFIB Ohio. "His efforts to reach out to job creators, long history of supporting small business issues, and his reputation for fiscal responsibility are all reasons Ohio entrepreneurs have confidence in his candidacy."
"The small-business community recognizes the importance of this election in determining whether Ohio continues on its upward trajectory," Geiger added. "They are more than ready to lend their support to the candidate they believe will make this state an example to others in the areas of lower taxes, responsible regulations, and equipping Ohioans to enter the workforce, and that candidate is Mike DeWine."
DeWine is running against Democratic nominee Richard Cordray, who served as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2012 to 2017, and his running mate, former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton.
In addition to the support from Ohio business groups, many unions and professional associations have endorsed DeWine and Husted.
Recent polls show that the race is highly contested, with neither candidate taking a strong lead.