OHIO — A former Republican state representative who proposed impeaching and arresting the governor for his response to the pandemic, launched a bid Friday to be Ohio’s next Republican Party chair.
John Becker (R-Union Township) said as chair he would prioritize getting candidates into office in Ohio “who respect the Constitution” and grow the party, he said in his campaign announcement Friday.
He said the GOP leadership needs to start trusting “rank and file Republican Primary voters to decide who best represents them in general elections.”
The seat became vacant Feb. 5 when former Chair Jane Timken stepped down, hinting at a run for the U.S. Senate, which she confirmed Thursday.
Becker served as a state representative from 2013 to 2020. Recently, he has been a driving force in the movement to limit health orders issued by Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health
He introduced the NOW Act in May 2020 after DeWine issued a stay-at-home order, forcing many sectors of the state’s economy to shut down, like bars, restaurants and hair salons. The bill would have stripped DeWine of his power to issue stay-at-home orders and similar mandates.
In August, Becker became the first lawmaker in over a century to file impeachment articles against a sitting governor. He claimed DeWine violated the Ohio and U.S. constitutions by postponing the 2020 primary, which was delayed after former ODH Director Dr. Amy Acton issued a public health order the night before polls were supposed to open.
“It is long past time to put an end to government gone wild,” Becker said at the time.
The process was never taken seriously by the legislature. "At some point, this foolishness has got to stop," DeWine said in Nov. 30 remarks.
DeWine wasn’t the only Republican Becker disagreed with over the last few years.
He also asked Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to resign in October. He wanted DeWine arrested on 10 crimes, including bribery and infliction of civil rights for the health orders. When Becker went to Yost to launch a criminal investigation, Yost declined.
Becker called Yost the “laughing stock of the state,” saying he is abusing his power by not investigating the governor.
Yost responded to Becker's announcement on Twitter.
"Context: The good voters of Clermont County last year declined Mr. Becker’s offer to serve as county commissioner. 8 years of his representation in Columbus proved a sufficient opportunity to take his measure. His record follows him here, too, where he enjoys a snowball’s chance," Yost wrote.
Becker wrote bills to eliminate fines for COVID-19 order violations, ban mask mandates in schools and government buildings, and prohibit mandatory vaccines. He led an effort to get private citizen’s affidavits filed in dozens of counties for DeWine's arrest.
Other legislation he drafted supported building the wall on the Mexico border, stopping insurance companies from covering abortions, and prepares Ohio to have tight abortion restrictions in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Becker pushed for the governor to oust former health director Dr. Amy Acton, and he told Spectrum News in the fall he was adamant her replacement be pro-life.
Bob Paduchik, former President Donald Trump’s campaign manager, is expected to be the next chair.
Still, Becker said he’s tossing his hat into the ring because he wants to see the party go in a different direction.
Becker said he is calling for Republican State Central Committee members to consider his candidacy at its Feb. 26 meeting and asked for a secret ballot.
“A secret ballot vote is important to insulate committee members from intimidation and retribution for voting the ‘wrong way,’” he said in a statement.