1753 governor mike dewine ohio
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But this isn't the Republican governor's first time on the national stage. As attorney general, Dewine led Ohio, the largest in the state's history.

1. A 42-year journey to governor

He's drawing on his long history in government and politics to handle the current pandemic crisis. The 73-year-old Cedarville attorney has served in various public roles since 1976 – he's unlikely to run for a higher office than governor.

He was first elected as Greene County's prosecutor at age 29. From there, DeWine served as a state senator, U.S. Representative, lieutenant governor to Republican George Voinovich, U.S. senator and finally Ohio attorney general.

He's lost just two political races in his four decades as a candidate: in 1992 to U.S. Sen. John Glenn, the famous astronaut, and in 2006 to Sen. Sherrod Brown.

DeWine was elected governor in November 2018, besting Democrat Rich Cordray, a former state attorney general DeWine unseated in 2010.

“I believe I have prepared my whole life for this job,” DeWine told The Dispatch in January 2019. “I think I have been blessed, fortunate to do something I always have enjoyed very much. I like it in the sense that in public office, you can go to try and solve a problem. I get great satisfaction out of doing that and making a difference.”

2. Pro-kids and pro-life

DeWine laid out a children-first agenda soon after taking office in January 2019. His first budget boosted funding for schools and care for new moms while also raising the minimum age to buy cigarettes and tobacco products.

His wife Fran launched the Governor's Imagination Library, offering free books to kids under 5.

In April 2019, DeWine signed a "heartbeat bill" banning abortion once fetal cardiac activity can be detected. DeWine's predecessor, John Kasich, had vetoed the bill four months earlier. The bill was put on hold as it's being challenged in court.

3. Seed money

The DeWine family earned its wealth from the family businesses: DeWine Seeds and the Ohio Twine Company.

DeWine's first job was stenciling seed bags, painting fences and loading trucks for the family business. Richard Michael "Mike" DeWine was the only surviving child of his parents, Dick and Jean. The couple had another son who died shortly after birth.

The DeWines eventually sold the family business, but the investment has helped fuel their fortunes.

The DeWine family purchased the Asheville Tourists, a North Carolina farm team for the Colorado Rockies, in 2010 under the name "DeWine Seeds Silver Dollar Baseball, LLC."

4. It's all in the family

DeWine, a devout Catholic, took his oath of office on nine Bibles, each with a special family connection.

Mike DeWine met his wife, Fran, in the first grade and they were married while studying at Miami University. The couple had eight children and 24 grandchildren.

What you might not know about Mike DeWine Governor of Ohio
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Their oldest son, Pat DeWine, is a justice on the Ohio Supreme Court. Daughter Alice DeWine is an assistant prosecutor in Greene County. Son Brian DeWine runs the baseball team.

The DeWine's third child, Becky DeWine, died in 1993 in a car crash. She was 22 years old and planned to be a journalist. In her honor, the DeWines created the Becky DeWine School in Haiti, which provides tuition-free schooling to children in the Cite Soleil slum, cites cincinnati.

5. A Republican, bipartisan governor

In his first year in office, DeWine raised the gas tax, bailed out two nuclear plants and proposed tighter background checks on firearm sales.

Those policy positions have put him at odds with fellow Republicans and in Democrats' good graces.

DeWine staffed key agency positions with Republicans, Democrats and independents, building the most diverse cabinet roster in Ohio history.

DeWine is an understated supporter of President Donald Trump. DeWine is an honorary state co-chair of Trump's 2020 campaign and attended a West Virginia fundraiser for the president last year. And, unlike predecessor Kasich, DeWine declines to criticize the president, even on matters where they differ.

6. Vision

What you might not know about Mike DeWine Governor of Ohio
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Mike DeWine loves Ohio and cares passionately about our state’s future. He knows that every parent wants their kids to have an opportunity for a solid education, a healthy life that is free of drugs, and a good paying job later in life. Republican leadership has righted the ship in Ohio, but Mike knows that we have a chance to propel our state even farther ahead.

Mike knows that for our state to succeed in the future, we have to take efforts to create and retain jobs in Ohio to the next level. By curbing excessive taxation and burdensome regulations, his focus will be on creating a more inviting business environment and bringing and keeping jobs in Ohio, according to Mikedewine.
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