GOP chooses deputy party chief

This is the first time the position has existed under Bob Bennett, the chairman.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- The Ohio GOP on Friday chose state Rep. Kevin DeWine, the No. 2 Republican in the House, for a job that positions him to take over the state party when the current chairman steps down after next year's presidential election.
Ohio is considered crucial in the 2008 race for the White House, and the state party chairman will have a key role.
In 2004, Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett coordinated the state party's campaign for President Bush, and his slim victory in the state gave him enough electoral votes to secure re-election.
DeWine, 39, was selected deputy chairman, the first time that job has existed under Bennett.
Bennett has said he wanted a deputy to groom to take over the state party. A committee from the group still would have to vote on DeWine's becoming chairman.
On Friday, DeWine received 37 votes -- four more than needed -- on the second vote of the party's State and Central Committee to become deputy chairman.
He said he would keep his seat in the House but relinquish leadership duties soon.
Defeated Stark Co. man
DeWine, of Fairborn, defeated Curt Braden, chairman of the Stark County GOP, on the second ballot. Dale Fellows, the party's Lake County chairman, failed to garner enough votes to make it to the second ballot.
Bennett has been chairman since 1988 and presided over the GOP's sweep of statewide offices, beginning with the 1990 election of former Gov. George Voinovich and culminating with its takeover of all statewide executive offices and the Legislature in 1994.
Last year, scandals involving Republicans in Congress and in Columbus turned the tide toward the Democrats. They captured four of five statewide offices and picked up seven seats in the House.
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