Buckeye Reporter

Joe Blystone, a Republican challenger in Ohio’s race for governor, claimed Republican candidate Jim Renacci voted in favor of transgender bathrooms when Renacci served in Congress. This accusation apparently is false, according to a release from Renacci’s office.

The Ohio Press Network recently called out Blystone for the false claims, saying "Renacci did not vote for a transgender bathroom bill because no such bill came before Congress."  Blystone's campaign made the accusation against Renacci in a February Facebook video posted by the group Blystone for Governor of Ohio.

"Joe Blystone built his entire campaign around lies about Jim Renacci, lies that have finally caught up with him," Renacci spokesman Tom Weyand said. "Blystone has been doing Mike DeWine and the establishment's dirty work for them, but he's finally been exposed. Ohio conservatives want Mike DeWine defeated, and it's clearer than ever that Jim Renacci is the proven, accountable conservative who can get it done."

Blystone, owner of Blystone Farm and Blystone Agricultural Community, Inc, faces an uphill challenge for the GOP nomination in the May 3 primary where he faces Renacci and incumbent Governor Mike DeWine.

Renacci, an accountant and entrepreneur, won the election to U.S. Congress in 2010 as part of the Tea Party movement. He later endorsed Donald Trump over then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich in 2016 primary for president.

DeWine, 74, was Kasich's choice to replace him as Ohio governor in 2019. He is one of the longest-serving public officials in state history, having been in elected office for 41 years.