"The 'Fern's My Idol"

So says Kevin DeWine, Ohio GOP Deputy Chairman candidate. DeWine, who currently serves as Speaker Pro Tempore for the Ohio House of Representatives, is a second cousin to ex-Senator Mike DeWine. Kevin looks up to Chairman Redfern because he would like to emulate The Fern's success at running a state party while retaining his state house seat.

Mr. DeWine, whose backers include Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering) and Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland), said he would, if selected for the position, like to serve out his current and final term in the House before facing term limits.

Such a scenario is not without immediate precedent. Rep. Chris Redfern (D-Catawba Island) stepped down from his minority leadership post but ran again for his House seat after elected chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party last year.

"Chris Redfern is my idol, there's no doubt about it," Mr. DeWine said. (Gongwer)

Frankly, Kevin DeWine is one of the more partisan State Representatives out there. I'd love to see him take over the Ohio GOP so we could throw the ORP some real challenges when we target his seat in 2008.