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DeWine’s priority is safety, economic recovery as some push for impeachment

COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine addressed reporters today for the first time since several Ohio lawmakers, including two from the Miami Valley, are pushing for DeWine’s removal from office following his response to coronavirus.

>> DeWine targeted for impeachment by fellow Republicans

“My focus as governor is going to continue to be, and my priorities are, to keep people safe,” DeWine said. “If there are others in the legislature that wanted to spend their time drawing up resolutions...have at it.” DeWine said he also is focusing on helping the Ohio economy to recover.

A trio of ultra-conservative members of the Ohio House of Representatives filed Articles of Impeachment Monday against DeWine, claiming he violated the state constitution by issuing health orders that infringe on people’s rights. The drive for impeachment is led by Becker. Rep. Nino Vitale (R-Urbana) and Rep. Candice Keller (R-Middletown) both have signed on in support of impeachment.

“The people have been demanding it. I have been hearing from them for months,” Rep. John Becker (R-Clermont County) told News Center 7′s Jim Otte. “Businesses are failing and people are unemployed, and lives have been crushed because of the actions of the Governor.”

DeWine said members of the legislature should be focusing on bills around other topics like police reform and gun violence.

Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken said in a written statement, “It is despicable that anyone who considers themselves to be conservative would make an attempt to impeach Governor DeWine.”

House Speaker Bob Cupp also condemned the movement in a statement.

“Having now had time to read and consider the draft resolution to impeach the Governor announced by a couple of members, it is clear to me that it is an imprudent attempt to escalate important policy disagreements with the Governor into a state constitutional crisis. Even serious policy disagreements do not rise to the level of impeachment under our constitution,” Cupp said.


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