The saga is coming to an end. Kevin DeWine is doing the right thing and stepping down. We heard rumors earlier tonight of this news but couldn’t confirm. It wasn’t long until the Dispatch confirmed it.
Under unrelenting pressure from Gov. John Kasich and his political aides, Kevin DeWine will announce his resignation tonight as chairman of the Ohio Republican Party.
DeWine, 44, has prepared a letter to the 66 members of the GOP state central committee, saying he will step down when the party’s governing body meets to reorganize on April 13.
As we have mentioned previously, it didn’t have to be this ugly. Kevin DeWine is the one who brought this public, while Kasich kept it in the family. I also find it astonishing that his folks are still saying that he had the votes to hang on. I don’t believe that he does, or he wouldn’t be sending this email tonight.
In the end, though, he finally came to the correct realization. It’s an opportunity for both him and the party to make a fresh start where one is badly needed. Just like when Reince Priebus took over a damaged RNC from Michael Steele, we need to put our party back together. Bob Bennett as a temporary chair would be a good choice, given his long years of previous experience at the job.
I’m ecstatic that we are putting this behind us and can focus on beating Barack Obama and electing Josh Mandel this fall.
