Buckeye Reporter

The nonprofit organization Parents' Rights in Education (PRIE) PAC has endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci, according to a press release.

"Growing up in a blue-collar union family in western Pennsylvania, Jim Renacci was the first in his family to graduate from college," the organization said. "Jim has a plan to address the K-12 National Education Crisis, returning local control to school districts. He will stop the influence and heavy hand of federal government, and union control foisted on local school districts. Jim and Tina raised their family in Ohio, implementing his entrepreneurial vision of owning a small business, providing jobs and livelihoods for local families. No one in the race will fight for parents’ rights in education more than Jim Renacci."

Renacci welcomed the endorsement.

"My wife Tina and I prioritized our children's education," Renacci said in a statement following the endorsement. "We made sure they had the reading, math, science and the Christian values that launched their success in adulthood. Every parent should be able to do the same for their children. We need to get the liberal agenda out of our schools. I am grateful to have the PRIE PAC behind me."

Renacci, 63, is an accountant and entrepreneur. He won election to the U.S. Congress in 2010 as part of the Tea Party movement and later endorsed former President Donald Trump over then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the 2016 primary for president, according to his campaign biography.

Incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine, 75, is one of the longest-serving public officials in state history, having held elected office for 41 years, the West Hamilton News reported. His service includes stints in the Ohio State Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and as Ohio attorney general and Ohio lieutenant governor.

DeWine will face off against Renacci in the May 3 GOP gubernatorial primary. The winner will go on to appear on ballots for the general election on Nov. 8, according to Ballotpedia.