COLUMBUS, Ohio — New Ohio Republican Party Chairwoman Jane Timken pledged Wednesday not to retaliate against those who did not back her campaign.
“I have spoken to several members of my party and made it very clear — I’m not in the business of keeping score,” Timken told reporters at an Associated Press forum here. “If I’m going to be an effective chairman, I can’t do that. … I’m going to stay above that. I will not keep score.”
Timken shared the thoughts during her first extended meeting with the media since taking over the party last month in a leadership shakeup that divided loyalists of Gov. John Kasich and President Donald Trump. Kasich favored keeping Matt Borges as chairman. Trump, whose allies believed Borges undermined their efforts in Ohio last fall, made calls on behalf of Timken.
While Timken might not be keeping score, some Kasich advisers are. In recent weeks they have rethought their loyalty to Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who broke with the governor and Borges at the last minute to back Timken. Timken said she has had productive talks with Borges and Kasich.
She also vowed not to play a heavy-handed role as Taylor and three other prominent Republicans — Attorney General Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Jon Husted and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci of Wadsworth — explore running for governor in 2018, when Kasich is term-limited.
“When I ran for chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, I made very clear I was not interested in tipping the scales for one candidate over another,” she said when asked about how she would deal with a crowded field. “I think the primary process is important. We Republicans are blessed with great Republican leaders who want to continue to serve Ohio. As chairman I will remain neutral. That does not mean that there won’t be discussions about how races are won.”
Timken appeared on a panel with Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper. Pepper expressed optimism about 2018, nothing that Democrats’ best statewide performances have come when Republicans occupy the White House. Aresbet Timken offered a light-hearted jab.
“I predict that 2018 will be yet again unconventional,” she said, alluding to Trump’s improbable victory last year. “Past is not always prologue in politics. … I’m looking forward to 2018. I hope that you will have some candidates if you can come up with some.”
Pepper countered by noting the many Democratic prospects for governor. More than a dozen names are being mentioned, though there are no clearly established front-runners.
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