Trouble in Ohio GOP paradise

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http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2011/12/03/house_speaker_asks_dewine_to_r.html



COLUMBUS — Ohio’s House speaker is joining Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) in calling for the resignation of the state’s Republican Party chairman.

A Friday-night memo first reported by The Columbus Dispatch shows Speaker William Batchelder telling House GOP caucus members that chairman Kevin DeWine undermined Republican incumbents in 2010 by persuading donors not to contribute to their campaigns. Kasich had called for DeWine’s resignation after his victory over then-Gov. Ted Strickland in 2010.

The memo also accuses DeWine of refusing to lend party resources to incumbents facing primary challengers and refusing to allow GOP House members to participate in party leadership meetings.

DeWine writes in an email response to Batchelder that the accusations leveled against him are wrong. He writes he is disappointed Batchelder didn’t bring his concerns to him personally.