Who do Ohio Republicans like more: their party's governor John Kasich, or their party's president Donald Trump? The newest contestant in the gubernatorial primary, Rep. Jim Renacci, is betting on Trump.
Renacci is squaring off against Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who has the backing of Kasich. So Renacci's announcement video appropriates Trump's "America First" mantra for his state – "Ohio First" – and portrays himself as a successful business man who will shake up the state capital.
"Ohio is tired of status quo," says the first man on the street, in a clear swipe at Kasich and Taylor, not to mention the Republican-controlled state legislature. "The career politicians and stuff that's out there cannot move this state forward."
We then see Renacci tell a small crowd, "It is essential we get career politicians out of the way [and] put business leaders in who understand what it means to make a payroll."
While the Renacci ad rails against those "career politicians," it leaves out that Renacci has been a U.S. congressman for the last six years, and served as a mayor before that. But such minor details may not matter if Ohio Republicans – who backed Kasich over Trump in the 2016 presidential primary – have grown increasingly displeased with the current lot in Columbus.
Renacci is squaring off against Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who has the backing of Kasich. So Renacci's announcement video appropriates Trump's "America First" mantra for his state – "Ohio First" – and portrays himself as a successful business man who will shake up the state capital.
Jim Renacci Says ‘Ohio First’
The "Ohio First" video begins with a leather-clad Renacci taking a ride on a Harley – he partially owns three Harley-Davidson dealerships – as residents tout him as an political outsider."Ohio is tired of status quo," says the first man on the street, in a clear swipe at Kasich and Taylor, not to mention the Republican-controlled state legislature. "The career politicians and stuff that's out there cannot move this state forward."
We then see Renacci tell a small crowd, "It is essential we get career politicians out of the way [and] put business leaders in who understand what it means to make a payroll."
Renacci Implicitly Swipes Gov. John Kasich
Between clips of Renacci crossing the state on his motorcycle, we get more testimonials lambasting those in power, with accusations of a "pay-to-play system" and a desire for "a different view and a different voice."While the Renacci ad rails against those "career politicians," it leaves out that Renacci has been a U.S. congressman for the last six years, and served as a mayor before that. But such minor details may not matter if Ohio Republicans – who backed Kasich over Trump in the 2016 presidential primary – have grown increasingly displeased with the current lot in Columbus.