Mike DeWine won't join Mike Pence in Lordstown visit

CLEVELAND, Ohio – When Vice President Mike Pence makes his trip to Lordstown on Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine won’t be there to greet him.

DeWine was initially scheduled to appear at the Lordstown facility on Thursday before Pence’s presence had been announced. DeWine said his decision to not join Pence for the reopening of the closed General Motors facility under a new company shouldn’t be taken as a slight toward the administration.

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DeWine’s decision is odd for the state’s top executive, especially since he and Pence are both Republicans during an election year that is proving increasingly competitive nationwide – including Ohio. The governor is widely known as a firm backer of the GOP and in the past has appeared onstage with both Republican President Donald Trump and Pence.

That he would skip an appearance with Pence – the first visit from the White House since January – as Trump tries to convince the country he’s handling a slew of crises, including the economy, well is curious. The Lordstown facility, formerly a General Motors manufacturing site, has been a sore spot for Trump in Ohio following Trump’s promise to a Youngstown crowd that factory jobs were coming back to the area.

A joint appearance for the unveiling of Lordstown Motors all-electric pickup truck had the potential to be a moment of solidarity – and positive press – for both Republican administrations in the Mahoning Valley, a crucial part of the state for Trump’s re-election chances.

https://www.cleveland.com/open/2020/06/mike-dewine-wont-join-mike-pence-in-lordstown-didnt-ask-vp-to-wear-mask-during-thursday-visit.html