Mike DeWine

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Mike DeWine
Official portrait, 2018
Mike DeWine
BornRichard Michael DeWine
5 1, 1947
BirthplaceSpringfield, Ohio, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, attorney
Known for70th Governor of Ohio, U.S. Senator from Ohio, 50th Attorney General of Ohio
EducationMiami University (BA)
Ohio Northern University (JD)
Children8

Richard Michael DeWine (born January 5, 1947) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the 70th Governor of Ohio since January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, DeWine has been a fixture in Ohio politics for more than four decades, holding public office at nearly every level of government — from county prosecutor to the United States Senate. Born in Springfield, Ohio, DeWine rose through the ranks of Ohio's political establishment, serving in the Ohio Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives (1983–1991), as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (1991–1994), in the United States Senate (1995–2007), and as Ohio Attorney General (2011–2019) before winning the governorship. His tenure as governor has been marked by his early and aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, his calls for gun control measures following a mass shooting in Dayton, and, more recently, his public disagreements with the Trump administration over immigration policy concerning Haitian migrants in Ohio. DeWine was reelected governor in 2022 by a 25-point margin over Democratic nominee Nan Whaley.[1]

Early Life

Richard Michael DeWine was born on January 5, 1947, in Springfield, Ohio, a mid-sized city in western Ohio's Clark County. He grew up in nearby Yellow Springs, a small village in Greene County known for its progressive community character and as the home of Antioch College. DeWine's upbringing in this rural part of Ohio shaped his long career in public service, and he has maintained deep ties to Greene County throughout his life.[2]

DeWine comes from a family with roots in Ohio's agricultural and civic traditions. His connection to Yellow Springs and Greene County would later prove instrumental in his early political career, as he launched his first campaigns for public office from the county level. The region's mix of small-town conservatism and civic engagement provided a natural base for the young attorney and aspiring politician.

Education

DeWine attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. Miami University, a public research institution with a reputation as one of Ohio's leading universities, provided DeWine with an undergraduate education in the liberal arts. Following his graduation from Miami, DeWine pursued a legal education at the Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law in Ada, Ohio, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1972.[3]

With his law degree in hand, DeWine began his legal career in Greene County, where he took a position as an assistant prosecuting attorney. This entry into the legal profession served as a springboard into elected office, as DeWine transitioned from legal work to politics within a few years of completing his education.

Career

Greene County Prosecutor and Ohio Senate

After working as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Greene County, DeWine was elected as the county's prosecutor, a position he held from 1977 to 1981. As county prosecutor, DeWine gained experience in criminal law and local governance that established his credentials as a law-and-order Republican. His successor as Greene County prosecutor was William Schenck.[4]

In 1980, DeWine won election to the Ohio Senate, representing the 10th district. He served in the state senate from January 2, 1981, to December 13, 1982, when he resigned to take his seat in the United States House of Representatives. His time in the Ohio Senate was brief but served as a stepping stone to federal office. DeWine succeeded John Mahoney in the 10th district seat, and was in turn succeeded by Dave Hobson.[5]

U.S. House of Representatives (1983–1991)

DeWine was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982, representing Ohio's 7th congressional district. He took office on January 3, 1983, succeeding Republican Bud Brown. DeWine served four terms in the House, establishing himself as a reliable member of the Republican caucus with interests in law enforcement, agriculture, and foreign affairs — issues of particular relevance to his largely rural western Ohio district.[6]

During his tenure in the House, DeWine built relationships with Ohio's Republican establishment and developed a reputation as a pragmatic conservative. He served until January 3, 1991, when he left the House to become lieutenant governor. His congressional seat was filled by Dave Hobson, who had also succeeded DeWine in the Ohio Senate.

Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (1991–1994)

In 1990, DeWine was selected as the running mate of George Voinovich in the Ohio gubernatorial election. The Voinovich-DeWine ticket won, and DeWine was sworn in as the 59th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio on January 14, 1991. In this role, DeWine served as Voinovich's chief deputy and took on responsibilities related to state policy and administration. He succeeded Paul Leonard as lieutenant governor and served until November 12, 1994, when he resigned after winning election to the United States Senate. Nancy Hollister succeeded him as lieutenant governor.[7]

The lieutenant governorship gave DeWine statewide visibility and executive branch experience, positioning him for his successful 1994 Senate campaign.

United States Senate (1995–2007)

DeWine was elected to the United States Senate in 1994 as part of the Republican Revolution, the wave election that gave Republicans control of both chambers of Congress. He won the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Howard Metzenbaum in a landslide. DeWine took office on January 3, 1995, and served two full terms in the Senate.[8]

During his Senate career, DeWine was involved in several notable legislative efforts. He was a co-sponsor of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which made it a separate federal crime to harm a fetus during the commission of a violent federal crime against a pregnant woman. The Senate passed the legislation in March 2004, with DeWine as one of its chief proponents.[9][10]

DeWine also engaged in debates over gun policy during his time in the Senate. In February 2004, he was among a group of senators involved in amendments related to firearms legislation, reflecting his interest in gun-related policy that would continue into his governorship.[11]

DeWine was recognized for his approach to legislation that occasionally drew on personal stories and anecdotes to advance policy arguments. A 2003 New York Times profile described his legislative style as "legislation by anecdote," noting his ability to use compelling narratives from constituents and affected individuals to build support for bills.[12]

In 2000, DeWine won reelection to the Senate.[13][14] However, he faced a more challenging political environment in 2006. Running for a third term, DeWine was defeated by Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown in the November 2006 general election, part of a nationwide Democratic wave. Brown succeeded DeWine in the Senate on January 3, 2007.[15]

DeWine also took an interest in consumer protection and automotive safety issues during his Senate tenure. In 2005, he was involved in legislative efforts related to tire safety, an issue of particular relevance given Ohio's manufacturing base.[16][17]

Ohio Attorney General (2011–2019)

After his 2006 Senate defeat, DeWine returned to private life for several years before mounting a political comeback. In 2010, he ran for Ohio Attorney General and won, defeating the incumbent Democratic attorney general Richard Cordray.[18] DeWine took office as the 50th Attorney General of Ohio on January 10, 2011, serving under Governor John Kasich.

As attorney general, DeWine was active in a number of areas, including litigation related to the Affordable Care Act. In 2015, Ohio, under DeWine's leadership along with Warren County, filed legal challenges against certain aspects of the federal health care law.[19] Ohio lost some of its legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act during DeWine's tenure.[20]

DeWine also used the attorney general's office to pursue consumer protection, law enforcement support, and anti-drug initiatives. A 2014 profile in The Columbus Dispatch noted how DeWine's approach to the attorney general's office contrasted with that of his predecessor.[21] Additional reporting from Cleveland.com in 2014 covered DeWine's activities in the office.[22]

DeWine served as attorney general until January 14, 2019, when he was succeeded by Dave Yost upon assuming the governorship.

Governor of Ohio (2019–present)

Election and First Term

DeWine won the 2018 Ohio gubernatorial election and was inaugurated as the 70th Governor of Ohio on January 14, 2019, succeeding fellow Republican John Kasich. His lieutenant governor is Jon Husted, who had previously served as Ohio Secretary of State.

DeWine's first term was defined in large part by two crises: a mass shooting in Dayton and the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 4, 2019, a gunman opened fire in the Oregon District of Dayton, Ohio, killing nine people. In the aftermath of the shooting, DeWine urged the Ohio legislature to enact new gun control measures, including expanded background checks and harsher penalties for those in possession of unregistered firearms. His calls for action placed him at odds with some members of his own party and with the National Rifle Association.

In early 2020, DeWine received significant national attention for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was among the first governors in the United States to order the closing of dine-in restaurant service and to cancel or postpone sporting events. He also directed additional resources to elderly care facilities, which were among the most vulnerable to the virus. DeWine's early and decisive actions were noted by public health experts and media commentators across the political spectrum, though they also drew criticism from some Ohio residents and Republican legislators who viewed the measures as overly restrictive.

2022 Reelection

DeWine sought reelection in 2022 and faced Democratic nominee Nan Whaley, the former mayor of Dayton. DeWine won the election in a landslide, defeating Whaley by a margin of approximately 25 percentage points. The decisive victory underscored DeWine's broad appeal among Ohio voters, even as the state's political landscape continued to shift in favor of the Republican Party.

Immigration and TPS Controversy

In his second term, DeWine has become a prominent voice in the national debate over immigration policy, particularly regarding Haitian migrants living in Ohio. The city of Springfield, Ohio — DeWine's birthplace — experienced a significant influx of Haitian immigrants who had been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the federal government. DeWine has publicly defended the Haitian community in Springfield, stating that the migrants are legal residents and that they have contributed to the city's economic revival.

In early 2026, the Trump administration moved to revoke TPS for Haitian nationals, a decision that drew DeWine's public opposition. In a February 2026 appearance on CBS News' Face the Nation, DeWine stated that the policy of ending TPS for Haitians "is wrong" and called the Haitian migrants in Springfield a reason the city is "coming back."[23][24]

DeWine also said in January 2026 that he had received "mixed signals" regarding federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Ohio, and characterized the removal of legal status from hundreds of thousands of people as "unwise" and a "mistake."[25] He indicated that Ohio officials were preparing for a potential ICE surge in Springfield after Haitian TPS was set to expire.[26]

DeWine's stance on the Haitian TPS issue represented a notable break from the national Republican Party's position and from the Trump administration, placing him among a small number of Republican governors willing to publicly criticize federal immigration enforcement efforts directed at legally present immigrants.

Sports Gambling and Self-Assessed Mistakes

In January 2026, DeWine publicly stated that he considered his signing of legislation legalizing sports gambling in Ohio to be his biggest mistake as governor. The remark attracted attention given the rapid growth of the sports betting industry in the state following legalization.[27]

Personal Life

DeWine is a native of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and has maintained close ties to Greene County throughout his career. He and his wife, Fran DeWine, have eight children, including Pat DeWine, who has served as a justice on the Supreme Court of Ohio. The DeWine family has been a prominent presence in Ohio public life for decades.

DeWine's personal life has been touched by tragedy. The family has been open about their experiences, which have informed some of DeWine's policy positions, particularly regarding public safety and victims' rights — issues he championed during his tenure as county prosecutor, senator, and attorney general.

As of 2026, DeWine continues to reside in Ohio and remains active in the state's political affairs as governor. He has appeared on national media to discuss issues related to Ohio's governance, including a February 2026 panel appearance on CBS News' Face the Nation alongside governors from Kansas, Kentucky, and Indiana.[28]

Recognition

DeWine's career in Ohio politics, spanning more than four decades, has earned him recognition as one of the state's most enduring public figures. His early response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought him national attention and praise from public health officials and media outlets for the speed and decisiveness of his actions, including being one of the first governors to close dine-in restaurant service and cancel large public gatherings.

His 2022 reelection by a 25-point margin was among the most decisive gubernatorial victories in Ohio in recent decades, reflecting broad support across the state's electorate.

DeWine's willingness to break with elements of his party — on issues such as gun control after the Dayton shooting and immigration enforcement regarding Haitian migrants — has drawn attention from national political commentators. His February 2026 public criticism of the Trump administration's TPS policy was covered by major national outlets including The Hill, CBS News, and The Columbus Dispatch.[29]

Legacy

Mike DeWine's political career, which began with his election as Greene County prosecutor in 1976 and has continued through his service as governor into the mid-2020s, represents one of the longest and most varied records of public service in Ohio history. He is one of a small number of Ohio politicians to have held office at the county, state legislative, federal legislative, statewide executive, and gubernatorial levels.

DeWine's legacy is shaped by his law-and-order conservatism, his advocacy for victims' rights legislation (including the Unborn Victims of Violence Act at the federal level), and his willingness to take positions that sometimes placed him outside the mainstream of the Republican Party. His calls for gun control measures after the Dayton shooting and his defense of Haitian immigrants in Springfield against federal enforcement efforts mark him as a figure who has at times prioritized state-level pragmatism over national party discipline.

His tenure as attorney general helped rebuild his political standing after his 2006 Senate defeat, and his two terms as governor have been defined by crisis management — from mass shootings to a global pandemic to contentious immigration policy debates. Whether his approach to these challenges is viewed as principled independence or as political calculation, DeWine's record ensures his place as a consequential figure in modern Ohio politics.

A 2007 article in The Columbus Dispatch examined DeWine's departure from the Senate and his career trajectory.[30]

References

  1. ↑ "Mike DeWine".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000294.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Mike DeWine".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000294.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Mike DeWine".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000294.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Mike DeWine".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000294.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Mike DeWine".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000294.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Mike DeWine".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000294.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Mike DeWine".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000294.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Mike DeWine".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000294.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Senate Outlaws Injury to Fetus During a Crime".The New York Times.2004-03-26.https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/26/us/senate-outlaws-injury-to-fetus-during-a-crime.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Senate votes to outlaw harming the unborn; abortion activists fear women's rights eroded".The Toledo Blade.2004-03-26.http://www.toledoblade.com/frontpage/2004/03/26/Senate-votes-to-outlaw-harming-the-unborn-abortion-activists-fear-women-s-rights-eroded.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Senate gun vote".CNN.2004-02-25.https://web.archive.org/web/20050326064431/http://cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/25/senate.guns.ap/index.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Washington Talk; From CNN to Congress, Legislation by Anecdote".The New York Times.2003-05-08.https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/08/us/washington-talk-from-cnn-to-congress-legislation-by-anecdote.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "2000 Senate Election Results".Federal Election Commission.http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2000/2000senate.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Senate Election Results, November 7, 2000".Ohio Secretary of State.http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2000ElectionsResults/USSen11072000.aspx.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "U.S. Senate Election Results, November 7, 2006".Ohio Secretary of State.http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2006ElectionsResults/06-1107USSenate.aspx.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "DeWine pushes tire safety".USA Today.2005-08-09.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-08-09-dewine-usat_x.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Tire safety legislation".Tire Business.2004-01-23.http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20040123/NEWS/301239999&template=printart.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Ohio Attorney General Race Results".Cleveland.com.2010-11.http://www.cleveland.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/11/ohio_attorney_general_race_res.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Ohio, Warren Co. sues feds over Obamacare fees".The Cincinnati Enquirer.2015-01-26.http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/courts/2015/01/26/ohio-warren-co-sues-feds-over-obamacare-fees/22354337/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Ohio loses its latest challenge".Cleveland.com.2016-01.http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2016/01/ohio_loses_its_latest_challeng.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "DeWine, Pepper are vastly different".The Columbus Dispatch.2014-09-20.http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/09/20/dewine-pepper-are-vastly-different.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine".Cleveland.com.2014-10.http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/10/ohio_attorney_general_mike_dew_4.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "GOP governor: Trump's push to end TPS for Haitians 'is wrong'".The Hill.2026-02-22.https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5750059-dewine-defends-haitian-migrants/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Ohio Gov. DeWine criticizes Trump plan to end TPS for Haitian immigrants".The Columbus Dispatch.2026-02-23.https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/23/ohio-mike-dewine-critcize-donald-trump-tps-haitian-immigrants-springfield/88822443007/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Gov. DeWine says he's gotten 'mixed signals' on ICE action in Ohio".The Statehouse News Bureau.2026-01-30.https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2026-01-30/gov-dewine-says-hes-gotten-mixed-signals-on-ice-action-in-ohio.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Gov. Mike DeWine says Ohio prepping for possible ICE surge in Springfield".The Columbus Dispatch.2026-01-27.https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/state/2026/01/27/ohio-could-see-ice-surge-in-springfield-after-haitian-tps-expires/88377254007/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Mike DeWine reveals what he considers his biggest mistake during 7 years as governor".Cleveland.com.2026-01.https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/01/mike-dewine-says-biggest-mistake-as-governor-was-to-sign-bill-legalizing-sports-gambling.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Transcript: Govs. Laura Kelly of Kansas, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Mike Braun of Indiana and Mike DeWine of Ohio on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Feb. 22, 2026".CBS News.2026-02-22.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/governors-laura-kelly-andy-beshear-mike-braun-mike-dewine-face-the-nation-transcript-02-22-2026/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "GOP governor: Trump's push to end TPS for Haitians 'is wrong'".The Hill.2026-02-22.https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5750059-dewine-defends-haitian-migrants/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "DeWine career review".The Columbus Dispatch.2007-01-10.http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/10/20070110-C2-02.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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