Ohio GOP chairman won't seek re-election

COLUMBUS (AP) — The head of the Ohio Republican Party has told his colleagues he won’t run for re-election when his term expires in 2013.

The decision by party Chairman Kevin DeWine comes as allies of Republican Gov. John Kasich had recruited a slate of challengers to the party’s governing body, who they believe would support DeWine’s ouster.

The executive committee’s new lineup, elected March 6, could call a vote on DeWine’s future at an April 13 meeting.

DeWine said in a Sunday email to the 66-member state central committee that he would pass the torch in January to whomever the party believes is best.

The committee elected DeWine unanimously in 2011, but he said the body is now at the center of a “highly-charged” contest for the state party’s future.