DeWine does not endorse Trump: ‘My focus’ will be on local elections

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) on Sunday declined to explicitly endorse former President Trump in 2024, saying instead he would vote Republican at the polls.

Mr. DeWine, who is in a fierce battle with Mr. Trump in the Republican Senate primary in Ohio, has said that his focus is not on the White House this year, as both have endorsed opposing candidates.

“I’ve always said I support Republican candidates. I’m a Republican,” DeWine told CNN’s Dana Bash in an interview on “State of the Union.” “But my focus this year is going to be on a lot of local races. And it’s going to be particularly focused on the U.S. Senate.”

“It’s going to be a very close race in the fall,” he continued. “And, you know, we’re really going to focus on that. I mean, the polls clearly show that Mr. Trump has a far advantage in the general election. So the focus in Ohio is on Sen. I think it will be an election.”

Mr. Trump endorsed businessman Bernie Moreno in the Buckeye State race, and Mr. DeWine supported state Sen. Matt Dolan. Polls for Tuesday’s primary election show both candidates in a close race.

DeWine said he believed Dolan would be a stronger candidate against Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

“I had a chance to work with him in the state Legislature. He knows how the legislative body works,” he said. “And you know, I think this is important, but what we have to remember is that we might end up kicking this person out of the Republican primary. That person. He could serve in the United States Senate for six years, or he could serve for 30 years.” I think Matt Dolan would be a good fit. ”

Mr. DeWine’s comments followed two other Republican senators, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-La.) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who also declined to endorse Mr. Trump earlier Sunday. It was issued in response to this.

“All I can say at this point is that I intend to vote Republican for president of the United States,” Cassidy said Sunday.