Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine endorsed former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum for president on Friday. A.G. DeWine was previously supporting former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney after Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty withdrew from the race. The former Ohio senator made this endorsement late this afternoon at a news conference at the statehouse in Columbus.
“To be elected President, you have to do more than tear down your opponents,” DeWine said. “You have to give the American people a reason to vote for you — a reason to hope — a reason to believe that under your leadership, America will be better. Rick Santorum has done that. Sadly, Governor Romney has not.”
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“For some time now, it has been clear to me that Rick Santorum should be the Republican nominee for President,” DeWine said. “To be frank, I’ve had some sleepless nights. I could not, in good conscience, be on record endorsing Governor Romney when I knew in my heart that Rick Santorum was the better candidate.”
Santorum is currently leading the other Republican candidates in Ohio according to the latest Quinnipiac survey with 36 percent. Gov. Romney follows with 29 percent, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich places third with 20 percent. Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Republican received 9 percent.
No Republican has been able to win the White House without winning the state of Ohio.
