GOP turns up heat on Gov. Strickland over job losses

PERRYSBURG, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s governor says it’s unfair to blame his administration for two big job losses this week.

Republicans are turning up the heat on Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland this week after announcements that General Motors Corp. will close its Mansfield plant and NCR Corp. will relocate its headquarters from Dayton to the Atlanta area.

The moves will mean the end of close to 2,500 Ohio jobs.

Kevin DeWine, the Ohio GOP chairman, says Strickland has done little to stop the loss of jobs since he was elected in 2006.

Strickland says it’s unrealistic to blame Ohio for problems in the auto industry or expect officials to stop a company that is intent on moving.

He says he doesn’t care who people blame. He says his focus is on the workers and their communities.