At times, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has seemed like a polarizing figure.
But according to a new poll, public support for DeWine and his response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic remains strong.
Earlier this week, Baldwin Wallace University released a series of polls examining a myriad of politically based topics. One of the most notable findings from the Berea-based university was that the majority of Ohioans still approve of the job that DeWine has done in handling the ongoing pandemic.
Per Baldwin Wallace's findings: "Two-thirds of respondents believe their governor is doing a better job of handling COVID-19 than President Trump, and three-fourths of respondents support their state’s decision to require face masks in public. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s approval ratings for his handling of COVID-19 have dropped 8 points since a March BW Great Lakes Poll but remain high at 72%"
Despite the praise from the public, DeWine has come under fire from both sides of the politcal aisle due to his response to the coronavirus. In March, the Republican governor enacted a series of shutdowns and a stay-at-home order in an effort to help curb the spread of the virus.
Even after most businesses were given the go-ahead to reopen in May, DeWine remained a polarizing figure due in part to his statewide mandatory order that was enacted in July. While some argued that the order wasn't necessary, others said that the governor didn't issue it quickly enough.
Earlier this week, Ohio House Republicans introduce a bill to end the state's current "state of emergency" relating to the virus. At his press briefing on Thursday, DeWine said that he would veto such a bill should it reach his desk.
