Taylor snags Miami County GOP endorsement over DeWine

Mary Taylor beat out Mike DeWine for the endorsement of the Miami County Republican Convention on Sunday.

The two Republicans are running for governor in the May 8 primary.

DeWine attended the meeting at Edison State Community College, but Taylor sent her running mate, Nathan Estruth.

Taylor now has the backing of Miami and Clermont counties while DeWine is endorsed by two dozen county parties as well as the Ohio Republican Party.

Related: DeWine and Cordray each raise big money for governor’s race

Unlike most county endorsements, Miami County GOP holds a convention, allowing rank and file voters to weigh in on the decision.

“I’d like to thank the great people of Miami County for supporting the Taylor/Estruth ticket and choosing us to represent them in the Governor’s office. When the people have the opportunity to choose for themselves, free from the interference of party bosses, this is what happens,” Taylor said in a written release.

The convention also voted to back Republican Mike Gibbons for U.S. Senate over U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Wadsworth, who is endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party.

Related: Taylor laces into DeWine at Ohio GOP meeting

The battle between DeWine and Taylor is increasingly acrimonious. Taylor released a 60-second online advertisement this month that bashes DeWine for holding multiple public offices — Greene County prosecutor, state lawmaker, lieutenant governor, U.S. Senator, state attorney general — over the past 42 years.

Taylor has held statewide office for nearly 12 years and was a state lawmaker before that.

Staff Writer Nancy Bowman contributed to this story.

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