Buckeye Reporter

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci recently responded to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's statements to the Associated Press that he has "no regrets" about how he governed during the pandemic, and it wasn't favorable.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that nearly 900,000 jobs during the pandemic and that only about two-thirds of those jobs have been recovered. 

"Mike DeWine has proven he is incapable of remorse for the unprecedented carnage he did to Ohio," Renacci said. "DeWine says he has no regrets about governing Ohio like a blue state liberal, shutting down nearly a million jobs and decimating Ohioans' livelihoods, forcing our children into remote learning, and demanding our kids wear masks all day." 

DeWine was one of the first governors to shut down his or her state, according to AP News. As part of the shutdown, the state turned away attendance at sporting events and shut down bars and restaurants.

Early in his pandemic response, DeWine forced some small businesses to close while allowing larger corporations, sometimes offering the same goods, to keep their doors open, Spectrum News 1 reported. The legislature took action against the disparity.

"Ohio families are still dealing with the fallout from his actions," Renacci added. "Instead of asking for our votes, DeWine should be giving every Ohioan who voted for him a massive apology! DeWine could have led like Ron DeSantis, but he chose to lead like Gavin Newsom. We can't change the past, but we can protect our future by retiring Mike DeWine and putting Ohio back on the right path. As governor, I will ensure Ohio is open for business and let everyone know it's OK to resume a normal life!"

According to The New York Times, Ohio was one of the states that removed children from schools, which caused mental and behavioral issues in some children.

"On March 12, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine made an unprecedented announcement ordering all of Ohio’s public, community and private K-12 school buildings to be closed to students due to the ongoing coronavirus health crisis," the Ohio Department of Education wrote on its website.

In the GOP primary on May 3, candidates Joe Blystone and Renacci have lined up as challengers to DeWine, according to NE Ohio Times.