Mike DeWine

Early life and education

DeWine was born in Springfield, Ohio, on January 5, 1947, and grew up in nearby Yellow Springs. He is the son of Jean Ruth ( Liddle) and Richard Lee DeWine. He was raised and identifies as a Roman Catholic. DeWine earned his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1969 and a Juris Doctor from the Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern University in 1972.

Early political career

At age 25, DeWine started working as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Greene County, Ohio, and in 1976 was elected County Prosecutor, serving for four years. In 1980, he was elected to the Ohio State Senate and served one two-year term.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1982, U.S. representative Bud Brown of Ohio's 7th congressional district retired after 18 years in Congress; his father, Clarence Brown, Sr., had held the seat for 26 years before that. DeWine won the Republican nomination, assuring his election in November. He was reelected three more times from this district, which stretches from his home in Springfield to the Columbus suburbs. He ran unopposed in 1986 in what was regarded as a bad year for Republicans nationally.

In 1986, DeWine was one of the House impeachment managers who prosecuted the case in the impeachment trial of Judge Harry E. Claiborne. Claiborne was found guilty by the United States Senate and removed from his federal judgeship.

Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate

DeWine did not seek reelection to the House of Representatives in 1990, and briefly ran for governor, but withdrew before the primaries and instead ran for lieutenant governor as George Voinovich's running mate in that year's Ohio gubernatorial election. The Voinovich-DeWine ticket was easily elected.

In 1992, DeWine unsuccessfully ran for United States Senate against the former astronaut and incumbent senator John Glenn. His campaign used the phrase, "What on earth has John Glenn done?", echoing Jeff Bingaman's slogan "What on Earth has he done for you lately?" against former astronaut Harrison Schmitt in their 1982 Senate race.

U.S. Senate

In 1994, DeWine ran again for Senate, defeating prominent attorney Joel Hyatt (the son-in-law of retiring Senator Howard Metzenbaum) by a 14-point margin. DeWine was reelected in 2000, defeating gunshow promoter Ronald Dickson (161,185 votes, or 12.44%) and former U.S. representative Frank Cremeans (104,219 votes, or 8.05%) in the primary and Ted Celeste (brother of former Ohio governor Dick Celeste) in the general election. DeWine sat on the Senate Judiciary and Select Intelligence committees. He was the initial sponsor of the Drug-Free Century Act in 1999 and was a member of the Gang of 14, a bipartisan group of senators that in 2005 made a compromise on judicial nominees. He voted in favor of the 2002 Iraq Resolution authorizing the use of force against Saddam Hussein.

In the 2006 United States Senate election in Ohio, DeWine ran for reelection but lost to U.S. representative and former Ohio secretary of state Sherrod Brown by 496,332 votes. He received 905,644 fewer votes in 2006 than he received in 2000.

Out of government (2007–2011)

DeWine accepted positions teaching government courses at Cedarville University, Ohio Northern University and Miami University. In 2007, he joined the law firm Keating Muething & Klekamp as corporate investigations group co-chair. He also advised the Ohio campaign of John McCain's 2008 presidential bid.

Attorney General of Ohio

On July 21, 2009, DeWine announced his candidacy for attorney general of the State of Ohio. On November 2, 2010, he was elected attorney general, defeating incumbent Richard Cordray, 48% to 46%. As attorney general of Ohio, DeWine sent letters to drugstore chains encouraging them to discontinue the sale of tobacco products.

In the 2012 Republican presidential primary, DeWine endorsed Tim Pawlenty, then endorsed Mitt Romney after Pawlenty dropped out of the race. On February 17, 2012, DeWine announced he was retracting his endorsement of Romney and endorsed Rick Santorum. DeWine said, "To be elected president, you have to do more than tear down your opponents. You have to give the American people a reason to vote for you, a reason to hope, a reason to believe that under your leadership, America will be better. Rick Santorum has done that. Sadly, Governor Romney has not."

On November 4, 2014, DeWine was reelected as attorney general, defeating challenger David A. Pepper. He carried 83 of Ohio's 88 counties.

Legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act

In 2015, DeWine filed a lawsuit in federal court in Ohio against a part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In the suit, he alleged that the ACA's Transitional Reinsurance Program (which imposed a fee "paid by all employers who provide group health insurance in the workplace", which in 2014 was $63 per covered person and in 2015 was $44 per covered person) was unconstitutional as applied to state and local governments. When he filed the suit, DeWine claimed that the fee was "an unprecedented attempt to destroy the balance of authority between the federal government and the states".

In January 2016, the federal court dismissed DeWine's suit, with U.S. district judge Algenon L. Marbley holding that the Transitional Reinsurance Program did not violate the Constitution. DeWine appealed, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed Marbley's dismissal of the suit.

Criminal justice

DeWine's stated goal has been "Protecting Ohio Families". To that effect, he made it a priority to significantly reduce DNA testing turnaround times in connection with open criminal investigations. Under his predecessor, DNA testing at the Ohio attorney general's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) took approximately four months in cases such as murders, rapes, and assaults. Under the DeWine administration, DNA test results are now returned to local law enforcement in less than a month, leading to faster apprehension of dangerous suspects.

Upon taking office in 2011, DeWine launched a special sexual assault kit (SAK) testing initiative after learning that hundreds of police departments across Ohio had thousands of untested rape kits on their evidence room shelves. DeWine invested resources to test the 13,931 previously untested rape kits over the course of his administration, which led to more than 5,000 DNA hits in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). These DNA matches led to the indictments of approximately 700 alleged rapists, many of whom were serial attackers, connected to cases that would never have been solved if not for the DeWine initiative.

DeWine also launched the Crimes Against Children Initiative, which paired BCI criminal investigators with seasoned prosecuting attorneys to investigate and prosecute child predators. The Crimes Against Children Initiative focuses on holding accountable those who sexually and physically abuse children, those who share and view child pornography, and those who target children online. DeWine's office also developed several task forces for the investigation and prosecutions of human trafficking throughout the state.

Opioids

As attorney general, DeWine took steps to close down "pill mills" in Ohio that fueled the opioid epidemic. By the end of his first year in office, he had worked to close all 12 pill mills in Scioto County, considered by many to have been the national center of the prescription drug crisis. DeWine's efforts also led to more than 100 doctors and pharmacists losing their licenses for improper prescription practices. In 2013, DeWine formed a new Heroin Unit to provide Ohio communities with law enforcement, legal, and outreach assistance to combat the state's heroin problem. The Heroin Unit draws from new and existing office resources, including BCI investigative and laboratory services, Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission assistance, prosecutorial support, and outreach and education services. In October 2017, DeWine announced a 12-pronged plan to combat the opioid epidemic, drawing from his experience breaking up pill mills, prosecuting traffickers, supporting recovery, and advocating the importance of drug-use prevention education. In addition, he went after the pharmaceutical industry, suing opioid manufacturers and distributors for their alleged roles in fraudulent marketing and unsafe distribution of opioids that fueled the epidemic in Ohio and across the country.

Columbus Crew relocation lawsuit

In October 2017, news reports surfaced that Anthony Precourt, the investor-operator of the soccer club Columbus Crew, was exploring the option of moving the team out of state. After the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore in the late 1990s, the Ohio General Assembly passed a law requiring professional sports teams that had accepted taxpayer assistance to provide an opportunity for local owners to purchase the team before initiating a move. In December 2017, DeWine sent a letter to Precourt reminding him of his obligations under Ohio law. After Precourt failed to respond, DeWine filed suit against Precourt and Major League Soccer in March 2018 to enforce Ohio law and insist upon a reasonable opportunity for local investors to buy the team. As the lawsuit played out, an investor group including Dee and Jimmy Haslam, owners of the Cleveland Browns, and the Columbus-based Edwards family announced in October 2018 they were working out the details of a deal to keep the Crew in Columbus.

Governor of Ohio

2018 election

Main article: 2018 Ohio gubernatorial election

DeWine announced his candidacy for governor on May 26, 2016, becoming the first major Republican to enter the race to succeed term-limited incumbent John Kasich. He launched his campaign at his annual ice-cream social in Cedarville, Ohio, on June 25, 2017. On December 1, 2017, DeWine selected Ohio secretary of state Jon Husted—a former rival for the 2018 nomination—as his running mate, a move that unified much of the state Republican establishment behind the ticket. In the May 8, 2018, Republican primary, DeWine defeated Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, 59.8% to 40.2%. In the November 6 general election, he defeated Democratic nominee Richard Cordray, the former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 50.4% to 46.7% (a difference of about 166,000 votes). DeWine was inaugurated as Ohio's 70th governor on January 14, 2019, alongside Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.

Tenure

DeWine's governorship has been characterized by a pragmatic, sometimes bipartisan approach that has occasionally put him at odds with the Ohio Republican Party's more conservative wing. Themes have included public-health preparedness, economic recovery after COVID-19, major infrastructure investment, children's issues (especially foster care and lead poisoning), environmental initiatives like the H2Ohio water-quality program, opioid and human trafficking prevention, education reform, workforce development, and a cautious approach to social issues.

First term (2019–2023)

2019

DeWine was inaugurated on January 14, 2019. On his first day in office, he signed six executive orders establishing priorities: the Governor's Children's Initiative (foster care and infant mortality), disability inclusion, mental health prevention, anti-discrimination in state employment (including LGBTQ protections), and the RecoveryOhio Initiative to combat the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment, and recovery. In February, President Donald Trump appointed DeWine to the bipartisan Council of Governors. In March, DeWine delivered his first State of the State address, proposing a gas tax increase for infrastructure and investments in children's services, mental health, and water quality. In April 2019, he signed the "Heartbeat Bill", prohibiting abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. In July, he signed the biennial budget (gas tax increase, school choice expansion) and House Bill 6, a controversial energy bill subsidizing nuclear and coal plants, later linked to a major bribery scandal involving FirstEnergy. In August, after the Dayton mass shooting, DeWine proposed a 17-point gun safety plan including red-flag laws. In November, he launched H2Ohio for water quality improvement. In December, he supported local plastic bag bans and lead exposure initiatives.

2020–2021: COVID-19 pandemic

Main article: COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio

DeWine's early, aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic drew national praise and backlash.

In January–February 2020, DeWine began monitoring emerging cases. In March, he limited the Arnold Sports Festival, banned large gatherings, closed schools statewide, closed dine-in services, postponed a primary election, and issued a stay-at-home order. Gradual reopening began in May, as DeWine had daily briefings with Dr. Amy Acton, who resigned in June amid threats. In July, DeWine imposed a statewide mask mandate, and briefly banned hydroxychloroquine for COVID treatment before reversing the ban.

In May 2021, DeWine's "Vax-a-Million" lottery boosted COVID vaccination uptake. In July, he signed a biennial budget with broadband, Appalachian, and water investments. Also in 2021, he signed criminal justice reforms, including ending cash bail for misdemeanors.

In 2022, DeWine signed a stand-your-ground law. Redistricting was contentious: multiple maps were struck down for gerrymandering, and DeWine supported gerrymandered maps despite criticism. In January 2022, Intel announced a major semiconductor campus. DeWine awarded grants for human trafficking prevention and survivor services.

2022 election

Main article: 2022 Ohio gubernatorial election

In 2022, DeWine was reelected with 62.4% of the vote.

Second term (2023–present)

On inauguration day 2023, DeWine signed executive orders including anti-discrimination and skills-based hiring. In February, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine; DeWine activated the National Guard and supported rail safety. Also in 2023, DeWine signed the "Backpack Bill" expanding vouchers. In December, he vetoed House Bill 68, which allowed gender-affirming care for minors; his veto was overridden in January 2024.

DeWine issued executive orders banning gender-affirming surgery for minors and restricting care. In 2024, ground was broken on the Intel campus and H2Ohio expanded. Amid an influx of Haitian migrants, DeWine deployed state troopers and funding to Springfield.

In 2025, DeWine formed the Property Tax Working Group and issued an executive order that state employees return to work in person. In July, he signed a $60 billion budget. In August, he deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C. In December, he announced $65.6 million for Welcome Home Ohio housing. He has announced that in January 2026 he intends to make a statement on the death penalty, on which Ohio has had a de facto moratorium since 2019.

Political positions

Abortion

In April 2019, DeWine signed House Bill 493, known as the Ohio "Heartbeat Bill", into law, prohibiting abortion after a heartbeat is detected in a fetus, with no exceptions for cases of rape and incest, imposing one of the nation's most extensive abortion restrictions. DeWine opposes abortion. In the Senate, he was the lead sponsor of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act and voted for the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act in 2003. In December 2020, DeWine signed a bill that said "fetal remains from surgical abortions in Ohio must be cremated or buried"; failure to do so would be a misdemeanor of the first degree.

November 2023 Ohio Issue 1 overturned Ohio's abortion ban.

Capital punishment

Although Catholic, DeWine has not joined the Pope and Catholic bishops in opposing the death penalty. Nor has he joined former governor Robert Taft, former attorney general Petro, and former House speaker Householder in calling for an end to Ohio executions. Yet no executions have been conducted in Ohio since DeWine took office, and he has delayed executions due to "ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction".

Gerrymandering

In 2021, DeWine signed a redistricting map that favored Republicans. The map gave Republicans an advantage in 12 out of 15 districts, leaving two safely Democratic districts and one toss-up district. The map passed the Ohio legislature without any support from Democrats. Voting rights advocates called on DeWine to veto the pro-Republican redistricting map. In 2018, Ohio voted in a referendum for anti-gerrymandering reform that encouraged bipartisan support for redistricting maps. The same year, DeWine pledged to honor the voters' wishes and support a redistricting process conducted in a bipartisan way, but in 2021 he approved the changes for 2022 onward.

Gun control

In Congress, DeWine was known for his support for gun control measures. In 2004, he cosponsored an amendment to renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. He has repeatedly received an "F" rating from the National Rifle Association. The National Rifle Association endorsed him for governor. DeWine was one of only two Republican senators to vote against the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which banned lawsuits against gun manufacturers, distributors and dealers for criminal misuse of their products. In the 2006 election cycle, DeWine was the first senatorial candidate to be endorsed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; he displayed the endorsement on his campaign webpage. In 2019, DeWine proposed a red flag law for Ohio that would allow courts to take guns from people seen as a threats to others or themselves. In January 2021, he signed into law a bill that removed the requirement to attempt to retreat before shooting in self-defense, and in March 2022 he signed a bill into law removing the requirement to possess a license to carry a concealed handgun in public.

Highway safety

As U.S. senator, DeWine joined a bipartisan effort to lower the national maximum blood-alcohol limit from .1% to .08% and to require reporting of vehicle-related deaths on private property like parking lots and driveways. He sponsored legislation on determining when aging tires become unsafe.

LGBTQ+ rights

DeWine opposes same-sex marriage and as a U.S. senator voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriage and allows states to refuse to recognize such marriages performed in other states, and sponsored the Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would have banned same-sex marriage. He argued in the Supreme Court in favor of bans on same-sex marriage, saying that such bans infringe on "no fundamental right" and that states should not have to recognize same-sex couples who married in other states. DeWine was acting as attorney general against Jim Obergefell in the case Obergefell v. Hodges. The Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling against DeWine and other defendants, finding same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional.

In 2021, DeWine opposed a bill that would have banned transgender athletes from playing on sports teams that do not match their sex at birth, saying, "This issue is best addressed outside of government, through individual sports leagues and athletic associations, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association, who can tailor policies to meet the needs of their member athletes and member institutions." In December 2023, he vetoed a bill that would have banned minors from receiving gender-affirming care in Ohio and transgender youth from playing on sports teams that did not match their sex assigned at birth. He said that if the bill became law, "Ohio would be saying that the state—that the government knows better what is medically best for a child than the two people who love that child the most, their parents." In January 2024, the Republican-dominated legislature overrode DeWine's veto of the gender-affirming care ban. Also in January 2024, DeWine signed an executive order that restricted gender-affirming surgery for youth{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10|title=Mike DeWine Could Have Been a GOP Hero for Trans Rights

Marijuana

In 2019, DeWine said: "it would really be a mistake for Ohio, by legislation, to say that marijuana for adults is just OK." In February 2020, NORML, a group advocating the legalization of marijuana, gave DeWine an "F" rating in relation to his policies. He opposed 2023 Ohio Issue 2, the "Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol initiative". In 2024, DeWine requested lawmakers take action against Delta 8.

Hamas-Israel war campus protests

Main article: 2024 Ohio State University pro-Palestinian campus protests

After the April 25, 2024, Ohio State University Gaza Solidarity Encampment resulted in at least 36 arrests of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including 16 Ohio State University students, DeWine said, "I think that Ohio State did well", "what we don't want is any kind of hate", and that he opposes protests "right outside the door of a classroom". The demonstrators at the encampment were on the South Oval, which is not in the vicinity of any classrooms. DeWine also said he supported the arrests at Ohio State in the form of Ohio State Highway Patrol, which included an officer who aimed a rifle at protesters during the encampment's dispersal. He said that he supports Ohio and the U.S. "backing the country of Israel". In the same interview, he expressed support for Ohio Revised Code Section 9.76, which legally prohibits Ohio State from boycotting or divesting from companies on the basis of their support for Israel.

Other

In 2020, DeWine signed a bill that forbids colleges and universities in Ohio blocking controversial speakers. The same year, DeWine's compensation was 17th among state governors, at $159,189, compared to a maximum of $225,000 for the governor of New York and a minimum of $70,000 for the governor of Maine. The Ohio Checkbook shows that 92 employees of the Ohio state teachers retirement system, including director William Neville, equal or exceed the governor's salary.

Personal life

DeWine lives in the Whitelaw Reid House. He married Frances Struewing on June 3, 1967, and they have had eight children together. Their daughter Rebecca died at the age of 22 on August 4, 1993, in a car accident. One of their sons, Pat DeWine, is an Ohio Supreme Court Justice. Another son, Brian, is the president of the Minor League Baseball team the Asheville Tourists; the DeWine family purchased the team in 2010. DeWine's second cousin, Kevin DeWine, is the former Ohio Republican Party chairman.

Electoral history

References

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