'What an embarrassment': Ohio Gov Mike DeWine slammed as he declines to explicitly endorse Trump, says his focus is on local elections

COLUMBUS, OHIO: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine refused to explicitly endorse Donald Trump for his 2024 presidential race on Sunday, March 17. 

In a recent conversation with CNN's Dana Bash on 'State of the Union', the governor said, "I've always said that I will support the Republican nominee. I'm a Republican," adding that he would instead focus on the local races, particularly the Senate race, as per The Hill. 

DeWine asserted, "This is going to be a very close race in the fall. And, you know, we're really going to focus on that. I mean, the polling clearly shows Trump is way ahead in the general election. So, I think the focus in Ohio is going to be on the Senate race."

Trump and DeWine came into a disagreement by endorsing dueling GOP candidates for the primary in the Senate race from the Buckeye State. While the former president threw his endorsement behind businessman Bernie Moreno, the governor backed state Sen Matt Dolan.

Both candidates are in a neck-and-neck race ahead of the March 19 primary.

The ex-POTUS' March 16 campaign for Moreno in Dayton made headlines when he saluted the convicted January 6 rioters and called them "hostages."

Mike DeWine to focus on the Senate election

After refusing to clarify whether he would endorse Trump, DeWine stated, "At this point, all I will say is that I plan to vote for a Republican for the presidency of the United States."

The ex-POTUS secured the Republican nomination last week after crossing the 1215 delegate count. He will be officially nominated at the Republican Convention in July for a rematch with President Joe Biden in November.

Two other GOP senators, Sen Mike Rounds from South Dakota and Sen Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, also refused to declare whether they would endorse the former president for 2024 during interviews on Sunday. Former Vice President Mike Pence recently declined to endorse Trump.

Further into the interview, DeWine voiced his confidence in Senate candidate Dolan to defeat Democratic Sen Sherrod Brown, saying, "I've had the opportunity to work with him in the state legislature. He knows how a legislative body works."

He added, "And you know, I think it's important, we have to remember, we may be sending this person out of the Republican primary, who may serve six years or may serve 30 years in the United States Senate. I just think Matt Dolan is the right person." 

The Senate election will take place simultaneously with the presidential election on November 5.

Internet reacts as Ohio Gov Mike DeWine refuses to endorse Donald Trump

One wrote, "what if Trump is the sole republican? Kind of a wishy washy answer," and another said, "DeWine is compromised by his own double dealing and owned by Trump."

A person remarked, "So tired of this cagey governor keeping Trump at arms length when he's always ultimately supported him."

"Do Nothing DeWine! What an embarrassment!" exclaimed someone else, while an individual opined, "He is saving face he isn’t endorsing Trump at all."

"They always fall in line in the end. Smh," noted one more. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.