Ex-rep. Hood files to run for governor
Former state Rep. Ron Hood filed paperwork to run for Ohio governor, joining an already crowded GOP primary to unseat Gov. Mike Dewine.
Hood, an Ashville Republican, submitted signatures to challenge Dewine Tuesday, Ohio Secretary of State spokesman Rob Nichols confirmed. The race also includes former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci and Canal Winchester's Joe Blystone.
Every Republican who enters the race could further split the anti-dewine vote, which is fueled by frustration over how the GOP governor handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hood and former Butler County Rep. Candice Keller had been considering a bid for the governor's office.
Neither Hood nor Keller immediately responded to calls for comment.
Hood has a history of supporting abortion bans, including one that prevented abortions as early as six weeks gestation known as the “heartbeat bill.” That law, signed by Dewine, is currently on hold in federal court.
“We must fight to build the wall, protect the unborn, defend our gun rights, promote American businesses and bring jobs back, oppose endless war, stop our enemies like China, and defend the American worker!” Hood wrote on his congressional campaign website.
Hood has served in the Ohio House several times, including most recently between 2013 and 2020.
He also ran unsuccessfully for the Ohio Board of Education in 2020 and the 15th Congressional District in 2021. Hood came in third in the GOP congressional primary behind winner Mike Carey and state Rep. Jeff Lare.
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.