Republican Gubernatorial primary debate canceled after DeWine declines invite

The Ohio Debate Commission has cancelled the planned Republican Gubernatorial later this month after Gov. Mike DeWine opted not to participate last week.

“What’s happened with the GOP candidates and the governor’s race is disappointing,” said ODC Board President Dan Moulthrop, “but when the incumbent chooses not to debate, it’s not surprising that others in the race have less incentive to do so as well.”

DeWine’s campaign said the Governor is “the most publicly accessible Governor in Ohio history” after News Center 7 asked about the Governor’s decision.

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“Governor DeWine meets with constituents on a daily basis and regularly takes questions from the media. Ohioans know where he stands on the issues and that he is fighting and winning for them,” said Brenton Temple, campaign manager for the DeWine-Husted campaign.

DeWine is running in the May primary against former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Renacci and Joe Blystone.

“The Renacci campaign is holding to their position that they won’t participate unless DeWine is on the stage,” said Jill Zimon, Executive Director of the Ohio Debate Commission.

After DeWine opted not to participate in the debate last week, Renacci blasted DeWine’s decision.

“A gubernatorial debate without the governor is not a gubernatorial debate,” Renacci said in a statement. “As I’ve said repeatedly, Ohioans deserve far better than this--and that’s why I’m committed to defeating DeWine and delivering the accountable conservative leadership we desperately need.”

The Ohio Debate Commission will still have debates for the Ohio Gubernatorial Democratic Primary, U.S. Senate Democratic primary and the U.S. Senate Republican primary later this month on the campus of Central State University.

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