Canton Reporter

Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) is receiving criticism from a pro-life group for allowing abortion clinics to stay open during the pandemic, despite operating with expired licenses.

His opponent in the governor’s race, Jim Renacci, has used the backlash to point out this is a reason that pro-life organizations are endorsing him over DeWine.

"I am sickened by the disregard for human life within the DeWine administration," Renacci said. "How can Mike DeWine call himself a pro-life advocate while appointing a pro-abortion medical director and allowing the killing of innocent human lives with expired licenses? DeWine went out of his way to enable these abortion mills to continue operating while the state forced mom-and-pop stores across Ohio to shut down. Columbus desperately needs a change in its priorities, and I am running to bring real conservative, pro-life, pro-freedom change to Ohio."

Renacci and his running mate, Joe Knopp, have won the endorsements of multiple pro-life groups, including Warren County Right to Life, Dayton Right to Life, and Cincinnati Right to Life, according to the Cincy Reporter.

While the Right to Life Action Coalition (RTLACO) once backed DeWine, they have since backtracked on their stance. The organization said that keeping abortion clinics open during the pandemic, along with DeWine's appointment of pro-abortion rights health director Dr. Amy Acton, was not in line with its core values.

"The pro-life communities in Ohio have been betrayed," RTLACO said in a letter to DeWine. "We are withdrawing our pro-life endorsement and issuing a vote of no confidence in your leadership and in that of Lt. Gov. Jon Husted."

RTLACO is now criticizing DeWine over the fact that all six of Ohio's abortion centers are operating with expired licenses, according to a press release from the organization.

Margie Christie, president of RTLACO, spoke on the issue as well.

"The coalition does not endorse politicians in every race, and we never endorse candidates who have exceptions for abortion," Christie said. "We allow no exceptions whatsoever. When we endorse a candidate, it means that person has met our strict requirements and will likely uphold the non-compromising values RTLACO upholds, if he or she should assume office."

The pro-life group is now backing Renacci, according to the Buckeye Reporter. 

Renacci's pick for lieutenant governor, Knopp, said he was inspired to join the race because abortion clinics remained open during the lockdown, despite other businesses being forced to close.

"The church I attend in Dayton, Ohio, is two miles down the road from the abortion clinic," Knopp said. "I wasn’t able to attend my church during COVID; however, the abortion clinic was open the entire time, and that was Gov. DeWine’s responsibility."

Ballotpedia reported that DeWine will face Renacci for the GOP gubernatorial primary on May 3, and the winner will appear on the ballot for the general election on Nov. 8.