In an attempt to bring a swift resolution to the issue, the GOP chairmen of 7 of the state’s largest counties have sent a letter to Kevin DeWine, requesting that he step down as chairman of the Ohio Republican Party. The county parties represented are Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery, and Summit.
The text of the letter is below.
March 20, 2012
Chairman Kevin DeWine
Ohio Republican Party
211 South Fifth Street
Columbus, OH 43215As the Chairmen of seven of the largest county Republican Party organizations in the State of Ohio, we represent hundreds of thousands of loyal Republican activists, elected officials, candidates, donors and voters in Ohio. In fact, our seven counties represent nearly half of Ohio’s voting population, and our organizations, together with the Ohio Republican Party, must be focused on reaching those voters in order to win the important elections that are at stake this year.
For the past few months it has been apparent that the contentious relationship between top ORP leadership and the party’s elected officials is untenable and irreconcilable. For reasons unknown to us, you have been either unable or unwilling to find common ground to facilitate an effective and trusting relationship with our elected officials.
Your recent announcement that you will not seek re-election as ORP Chairman is an acknowledgement that new party leadership is needed, and we recognize how difficult a decision this must have been for you. Although we respect your current decision on this matter, we believe that it does not provide the necessary resolution to the situation.
You have admitted that the situation is unsustainable, yet you ask to sustain the status quo for 10 more months in a critical year for this party, state, and nation. We believe that it is fruitless to continue the finger pointing and unnecessary public airing of differences that has occurred.
Since the Primary Election earlier this month, it has become objectively clear to us that a majority of the incoming State Central Committee is intent upon new leadership at the state party. Now is the time for the party to unite under party leadership that can work with all of our elected officials and nominees; however, a majority of your Committee does not believe that you have the capacity to provide that unified leadership.
Therefore, it is with deep regret that we ask you to resign as chairman of the Ohio Republican Party immediately. It is our hope that, as you have already done with your announcement this past weekend, you will continue to demonstrate your commitment to the Republican Party and do what is right for the institution for which you have such great respect.
Sincerely,
We will have more commentary later this evening. I wanted to get this letter available for you to read immediately. However, think about who is urging DeWine to step down. You have the new ORP committee itself, almost every tea party in the state, most of the Republican grassroots, and now the chairmen of Ohio’s largest counties, representing almost nearly half of the state. He needs to read the writing on the wall and resign. Ohio’s Republican voters have spoken.
