Who is Mike DeWine? Mike DeWine, the 70th Governor of Ohio, has dedicated over four decades to public service. Born on January 5, 1947, in Yellow Springs, Ohio, DeWine's journey began in his hometown, where he learned the value of hard work from his family's seed company. He graduated from Miami University and earned a law degree from Ohio Northern University. DeWine's career spans roles as a prosecutor, state senator, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and Ohio Attorney General. Known for his strong leadership, DeWine has received numerous awards for his contributions to public policy, children's welfare, and community safety. His tenure as governor has been marked by decisive actions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Takeaways:
- Mike DeWine, Ohio's Governor, has a rich history in politics, from serving in the U.S. Senate to being elected as the 70th Governor of Ohio. He's also a family man with a passion for country music and the outdoors.
- Mike DeWine's career has been marked by significant legislative contributions, including sponsoring the Drug-Free Century Act and receiving numerous awards for his public service. He's also a devoted family man with a love for country music and spending time outdoors.
Early Life and Education
Mike DeWine's journey began in a small Ohio town, where he learned the values that would shape his career.
- Full Name: Richard Michael DeWine
- Birth Date: January 5, 1947
- Birth Place: Yellow Springs, Ohio
- Family: Married to Frances Struewing; they have eight children and 28 grandchildren, with one great-grandchild.
- Education: Graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor's degree in 1969.
- Law School: Earned a Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University College of Law in 1972.
- Family Business: DeWine's family started a seed company in Yellow Springs, where he learned the value of hard work, strong leadership, and fiscal responsibility.
Early Career
Before stepping onto the national stage, DeWine honed his skills in local government and law.
- Assistant Prosecutor: Worked as an assistant prosecutor for Greene County from 1973 to 1976.
- Prosecuting Attorney: Served as the prosecuting attorney for Greene County from 1976 to 1981.
- Ohio State Senate: Elected to the Ohio State Senate in 1980, marking the beginning of his political career.
U.S. House of Representatives
DeWine's political career took off when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
- U.S. Representative: Served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1991, representing Ohio's 7th District.
- Lieutenant Governor: Sworn in as the 59th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio under George Voinovich in 1990.
U.S. Senate
DeWine's tenure in the U.S. Senate was marked by significant legislative contributions and committee work.
- U.S. Senator: Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, defeating prominent attorney Joel Hyatt by a 14-point margin.
- Reelection: Successfully reelected in 2000, defeating Ted Celeste in the general election.
- Committee Membership: Served on the Senate Judiciary and Select Intelligence committees during his tenure.
- Drug-Free Century Act: Sponsored the Drug-Free Century Act in 1999, aiming to reduce drug abuse.
- Gang of 14: Member of the bipartisan Gang of 14 in 2005, which made a compromise on judicial nominees.
- Iraq Resolution: Voted in favor of the 2002 Iraq Resolution authorizing the use of force against Saddam Hussein.
Attorney General of Ohio
As Attorney General, DeWine tackled various issues, from tobacco sales to public safety.
- Attorney General Candidacy: Announced candidacy for Attorney General on July 21, 2009.
- Election: Elected as the 50th Attorney General of Ohio on November 2, 2010, defeating incumbent Richard Cordray by a narrow margin.
- Tobacco Sales: Sent letters to drugstore chains encouraging them to discontinue the sale of tobacco products.
Governor of Ohio
DeWine's leadership as Governor has been particularly noted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Governor Election: Elected as the 70th Governor of Ohio on November 6, 2018.
- Reelection: Successfully reelected in 2022, defeating Democratic nominee Nan Whaley by a landslide 25% margin.
- COVID-19 Response: Received national attention for his COVID-19 response, including the closure of dine-in restaurant service and sporting events.
- Gun Control Measures: Urged the Ohio legislature to enact new gun control measures following a shooting in Dayton, including expanding background checks and harsher penalties for unregistered firearms.
Personal Life and Interests
Beyond politics, DeWine has a rich personal life filled with family and hobbies.
- Religion: Roman Catholic.
- Favorite Book: "All The King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren.
- Favorite Movie: Rio Bravo.
- Favorite Quote: "You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." – Margaret Thatcher; "Defeat is simply a signal to press onward." – Helen Keller.
- Favorite Type of Music: Country.
- Hobbies: Outdoors, baseball, spending time with children and grandchildren.
Awards and Recognition
DeWine's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards throughout his career.
- Congressional Champion for Children Award: Received the Congressional Champion for Children Award in 2001 from the National Child Support Enforcement Association.
- First Annual Public Policy Leadership Award: Awarded the First Annual Public Policy Leadership Award in 2000 by the American Society of Transplantation.
- Senator of the Year: Named Senator of the Year in 2000 by the Lake Carriers Association.
- ORCA Award: Received the ORCA Award in 2001 from the Trade Association of the Outdoor Industry.
- Hero of the Taxpayer: Honored as Hero of the Taxpayer in 2000 by Americans for Tax Reform.
- A Child's Voice: Awarded A Child's Voice in 2000 by Children's Medical Center.
- Legislator of the Year: Named Legislator of the Year in 2000 by the National Association of Student Assistance Professionals.
- First Annual Public Policy Award: Received the First Annual Public Policy Award in 2000 from Lifeline of Ohio.
- Golden Bulldog Award: Awarded the Golden Bulldog Award in 2000 by Watchdogs of the Treasury, Incorporated.
- National Congressional Award: Received the National Congressional Award in 2005 from the National Recreations and Park Association.
- Friend of the Farm Bureau: Honored as Friend of the Farm Bureau in both 2001 and 2005 by Farm Bureau.
- Spirit of Enterprise: Awarded the Spirit of Enterprise in 2001, 2004, and 2005 by the United States Chamber of Commerce.
- Highway Safety Leaders Award: Received the Highway Safety Leaders Award in 2004 from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
- OVRDC Area Leadership Award: Honored with the OVRDC Area Leadership Award in 2003 by the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission.
- Donald Santarelli Award for Public Policy: Received the Donald Santarelli Award for Public Policy in 2003 from the National Organization of Victim Assistance.
- Minuteman of the Year: Named Minuteman of the Year in 2003 by the Reserve Officers Association of the United States.
- Certificate of Appreciation: Received a Certificate of Appreciation in 2002 from Campfire United States of America Councils.
- Legislator of the Year Award: Named Legislator of the Year Award in 2002 by the National Youth Employment Coalition.
- Brick on the Walk of Honor: Honored with a Brick on the Walk of Honor in 2002 by the Ohio Society of Fire Service Instructors.
Mike DeWine's Legacy
Mike DeWine's career showcases his dedication to public service and Ohio's well-being. From his early days as a prosecutor to his current role as Governor, DeWine has consistently demonstrated leadership and a strong sense of community values. His efforts in the U.S. Senate, as Ohio's Attorney General, and now as Governor highlight his commitment to tackling issues like drug abuse, public safety, and health crises. DeWine's numerous awards and recognitions reflect his impact on various aspects of public policy, from education and healthcare to economic development and social welfare. His COVID-19 response and push for gun control measures further underscore his proactive approach to governance. As he continues to serve Ohio, DeWine's legacy as a champion for children, families, and communities remains unwavering. His life's work stands as a testament to his enduring commitment to making Ohio a better place for all.
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