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Ohio chamber endorses 3 Republicans
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Governor John Kasich
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Jon Husted
By MARC KOVAC
COLUMBUS
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce endorsed gubernatorial challenger John Kasich and two other Republicans on Thursday — the first time in the group’s 117-year history that it’s taken sides in the statewide races.
Andrew Doehrel, chamber president and chief executive officer, said the decisions to pick Kasich, secretary-of-state candidate Jon Husted and attorney-general hopeful Mike DeWine were reached after much deliberation.
“Our mission statement in part reads that we’re supposed to be the state’s leading business advocate,” Doehrel said. “Our [political action committee] board felt strongly that we are facing an unprecedented challenge in Ohio right now. And that meant that we had to step forward. And we had to step forward in a big way and speak out on what’s best for Ohio and our economic well-being.”
Doehrel added that the endorsement was not based on the policy decisions and actions of Gov. Ted Strickland, who also interviewed with the chamber as part of the process.
“This is not a reflection of where the last four years have been,” he said. “We’re trying to look ahead to where the next four years need to lead us.”
In a statement, Lis Smith, spokeswoman for Strickland, said in response to the announcement: “The choice facing Ohioans in this election could not be clearer. Congressman Kasich can fight for Wall Streeters and outsourcers; Ted will fight for Ohio.”
The chamber opted to endorse in the races for attorney general and secretary of state because of the impact the two offices have on businesses. Husted is facing Democratic nominee Mary- ellen O’Shaughnessy, while DeWine is challenging incumbent Democrat Richard Cordray.
The endorsements were announced during a press conference near the Statehouse on Thursday, with Kasich in attendance.
“It’s easy to duck, it’s easy to hide in the weeds; it’s just easy not to take a position,” he said in thanking the chamber for the endorsement. “I hope the people of this state will recognize how difficult it was for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to make the decision to take a stand. ... They decided to stand up and stand for something.”