OHIO — Bob Paduchik announced to members of the Ohio Republican State Central Committee that he will step down from his role as chair of the Ohio Republican Party. 

"It is time for a new leader to take leadership of the party and I look forward to the January election of ORP officers," he wrote. 

In his letter, he congratulated the "great Republican victories" during the 2022 midterm elections — this includes JD Vance winning the Ohio Senate seat over Tim Ryan, and Gov. Mike DeWine being re-elected for another term. 

"We faced several challenges during my term as chairman and I am proud the committee rose above the fray and helped deliver big victories for our party and our candidates," Paduchik wrote. "Those challenges included: defending three Republican Supreme Court seats, holding a U.S. Senate seat after an expensive and tough primary, the redistricting debacle, massive out of state Democrat funding, and of course a hostile press that continues to support Democrats."

Paduchik took over the role in February 2021 after former chair Jane Timken stepped down. 

Prior to his role as chairman of the ORP, Paduchik previously served as a senior adviser on former President Donald Trump's re-election campaign. He also served as the co-chairman of the Republican National Committee and as an Ohio state director for Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.