Johnson Withdraws From Race for ORP Deputy Chair

Mark Naymik of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports on Openers that central committee member David Johnson of Columbiana County has dropped out of the race to become Deputy Party Chair of the Ohio Republican Party, and therefore successor-in-waiting to long-time Chair Bob Bennett (who will step down at the end of 2008). Johnson runs a title company and said that he doesn't have time to take on a full-time party position.

The others in contention are Stark County Chairman Curt Braden, Lake County GOP Chairman Dale Fellows, and State Rep. Kevin DeWine (R-Fairborn). DeWine is an ally of House Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering), who (acording to Naymik) has statewide ambitions for 2010. The intra-party election will occur in April.