When Mike DeWine first took workplace as governor in 2019, he targeted his consideration on issues like early childhood improvement, funding for extra college companies, and water high quality.

However in March 2020 his time period modified dramatically when the primary circumstances of the coronavirus have been reported in Ohio.

As COVID-19 started to unfold, DeWine instantly put in place well being orders to close down companies and faculties, and implement social distancing necessities.

“It was my duty as governor to take the actions that wanted to be taken. I feel in the event you checked out how Ohio approached the pandemic and the way different states method the pandemic, I consider that we had a correct steadiness between public security and in addition permitting folks to make their livelihoods,” DeWine mentioned.

Although greater than 38,000 Ohioans have died of COVID-19, the state presently ranks twenty third in COVID-19 deaths per capita and fortieth within the nation in COVID-19 circumstances per capita.

Candidates problem DeWine’s COVID-19 response

Former Congressman Jim Renacci, a Republican candidate for governor, is a vocal critic of DeWine’s well being orders and mentioned DeWine went too far in shutting issues down.

“Look, we did have a well being care disaster. There isn’t any doubt about it. However on the identical time, we had an financial disaster. And if you’re a pacesetter, it’s a must to choose all of these points and it’s a must to make selections for everyone,” Renacci mentioned.

Renacci has mentioned the well being orders that closed some companies and allowed others to stay open – similar to huge field shops – have been uneven. He additionally slammed DeWine for finishing up a statewide masks mandate.

“When did we begin taking away these rights? That is the actual challenge that I am listening to as I journey round Ohio. And that is the priority I’ve too,” mentioned Renacci. “In order governor, once more, these are selections. These needs to be particular person selection selections.”

Whereas Ohio was one of many first states to close down companies early within the pandemic, it was additionally one of many first to start out opening companies again up in Might 2020. DeWine says he does not wish to downplay the tragedies of the pandemic, however provides their plan positioned Ohio for the longer term.

“I feel in the event you take a look at what’s occurred since we acquired vaccination, for instance, and everybody had the chance to be vaccinated, in the event you take a look at how we’re transferring ahead, we’re transferring ahead exceedingly effectively,” DeWine mentioned.

Insurance policies after the pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Common Meeting proposed and applied coverage modifications that restrict the authority of the governor, similar to ordering a masks mandate. Measures that limit vaccine mandates for private and non-private sectors have additionally been mentioned.

On the subject of vaccine mandates, Renacci mentioned he helps non-public companies creating their very own insurance policies however emphasizes that exemptions should be allowed.

DeWine has mentioned authorities ought to neither forestall employers from enacting security protocols nor ought to it require employers to mandate vaccine selections.

Farmer and businessman Joe Blystone, a Republican candidate for governor, didn’t return a request for an interview however mentioned in a earlier interview that DeWine’s method to the COVID-19 pandemic was a most important purpose he joined the race.

“And we noticed – ‘You cowl your face up. You avoid folks. Do not ship your youngsters to highschool. Do not go to church.’ Our rights have been severely stomped on, and I feel that was the straw that broke the camel’s again,” Blystone mentioned.

Former state consultant Ron Hood rounds out the record of candidates operating for the Republican nomination. He didn’t reply to a request for remark however – in his low-profile marketing campaign of talking engagements, social media, and podcasts – he’s been sharply vital of DeWine’s COVID insurance policies.

Affect on the economic system

Ohio’s economic system has been on a curler coaster within the final 4 years, as with each different state responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However DeWine mentioned Ohio is making a comeback due to a balanced method his administration took through the early months.

“When the pandemic began, we lower spending. When the pandemic began, we froze hiring on the state stage, state workers. On account of these prudent, conservative actions that we took. We’ve come out of this,” DeWine mentioned.

Ohio’s unemployment charge hit a four-decade excessive of 16.8% in April 2020 when companies have been quickly shut down or restricted. These numbers began to drop as soon as restrictions have been lifted and Ohio’s unemployment charge is now at 4.1%.

Renacci panned DeWine’s response to the pandemic, saying the choices harm companies. He famous the quantity of jobs which have been misplaced throughout DeWine’s time in workplace.

Whereas unemployment is low, the quantity of individuals employed in Ohio now in comparison with the primary month DeWine took workplace is down by 164,200 jobs.

Renacci went additional in saying Ohio spends an excessive amount of cash and desires to vary its tax construction.

“We’re a state that’s failing. And one of many causes we’re failing is we’re not altering something. This governor continues to run insurance policies within the twentieth century after we’re within the twenty first century,” mentioned Renacci.

Candidates tout enterprise credentials

Renacci ran a automotive dealership, operated a nursing dwelling, and helmed different companies earlier than operating for U.S. Congress in 2010. He mentioned he needs Ohio to transition to a consumption tax.

“So my plan is to look similar to I’ve completed in most of the profitable companies run. Let’s get our spending in line. Let’s get our tax system to a consumption tax like the highest ten states in our nation have. And let us take a look at ways in which we are able to do away with a few of this waste,” Renacci mentioned.

Renacci mentioned Ohio must spend much less and reform its taxation, not solely to attract extra companies to Ohio but in addition extra staff, in a state that’s behind many others in inhabitants progress.

Blystone mentioned that Ohio wants an outsider as governor.

“Nicely, what I feel is being a businessman, principally, I am a standard sense man. I do not spend more cash than I’ve as a result of clearly that is unhealthy enterprise and it is simply completely reverse of what the state, what the federal government is,” mentioned Blystone.

DeWine trumpets huge initiatives

The brand new Intel undertaking has develop into a key consider Ohio’s financial future. DeWine is touting the $20 billion undertaking as proof that Ohio is “on the transfer.”

“We’re on the transfer as a result of we have stored taxes down. We’re on the transfer as a result of the regulation is an effective regulatory local weather. And we’re on the transfer due to all the opposite nice property that we’ve got,” mentioned DeWine. “We’re seeing firms come off the east coast and the west coast. They’re seeking to increase, they usually’re seeking to the heartland, and Ohio is in an important place to compete.”

Renacci has questioned the deal Ohio made with Intel. He referred to as it “smoke and mirrors” due to the greater than $2 billion in incentives the state provided Intel for the pc chip-making complicated.

A debate with the Republican gubernatorial candidates in March was canceled after DeWine declined the invitation and different candidates subsequently dropped out.

The race for the Republican nomination will probably be determined within the Might 3 main, for which early voting is already below approach.

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