GOP Chair Highlights Growing Rift With Party

In an exclusive interview with Capitol Square, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine leveled his harshest criticism to date at Gov. John Kasich's political operation.

"There are folks close to the governor, agents and allies and lobbyists and political consultants, who are trying to take over the party for the benefit of holding all the levers of power as it relates to politics in the Republican party," DeWine told moderator ONN's Jim Heath.

The strong words came after ONN learned several members of Kasich's staff had circulated petitions for candidates seeking election to the GOP central committee.

Official documents show Kasich's regional liaisons Nicole Kostura, Nick Gatz and Sherri Carbo each turned in candidate petitions during weekday work hours.

Kostura and Gatz turned in petitions on Tuesday, December 6.  Carbo circulated petitions on December 1, 2, 5 and 6, and then submitted them on December 7. 

State law prohibits government employees from doing political activities during their work day.

When asked by ONN, Kasich's spokesman Rob Nichols said he was aware members of the staff were circulating petitions, but they had done so after requesting time off.

"We don't keep records of what staff choose to do on personal time," Nichols said.

DeWine said the employee time off information can be verified, but it doesn't answer why the governor is spending so much time targeting fellow Republicans who helped him win a close election.

"You have the governor's in some instances employees, but certainly the folks surrounding the governor, going after incumbent members of the committee who, for no fault of their own, they have just simply poured their blood, sweat and tears into helping get this guy elected.  And the thanks they get is his staff working to gin up a contest in their reelection to the committee," DeWine says.

Gatz, who is Kasich's southeast field representative, submitted petitions for Bonnie Ward, who is running against current Vice Chairwoman Kay Ayres.

Ayres recently sent a letter to Kasich imploring him to back off his effort to take over the central committee in an effort to replace DeWine.

"Governor, you are the one person who can quickly put a stop to this nonsense," Ayres wrote.

Kasich responded to reporters, "I just felt it's time for a change and that's about my only feeling about it."

DeWine said the rift between he and Kasich goes back to shortly after the 2010 general election.

Republicans had just swept every statewide office and taken the majority in the state House.

"He and I had a short conversation," DeWine said. "He said he wanted his own person. I said I respect that, but that's not the way the committee elects a chairman."

The 66 member central committee reelected DeWine in January.  Sources said Kasich's political team started plotting a takeover of the committee almost immediately.

Last week on Capitol Square, Republican House speaker Bill Batchelder weighed in, saying the governor is the recognized leader of the state GOP.

"We do not need the state chairman of our party making comments about the people around the governor," Batchelder said.

Batchelder, however, backed off from an earlier statement made by his spokesman that he wanted DeWine to resign.

DeWine denies rumors he is behind an attempt to replace any incumbents on the central committee, including former House speaker Jo Ann Davidson, a Kasich ally.

Sources who have looked at the candidates for the central committee said it is possible Kasich's slate could win a majority of seats in the March 6 election.

Even if that happens, DeWine said he will not step down.

"I'm going to be the chairman of the party through January 2013," DeWine told Heath.

DeWine is in the precarious position of fighting to retain control of the party, while defending Kasich's policies. 

Kasich's approval rating has been hovering around 40 percent for most of the year. Last month, Kasich's controversial collective bargaining reform law was overwhelmingly rejected by voters.

The battle for control of the Ohio GOP will coincide with the presidential primary on Super Tuesday.

With Ohio pivotal in the presidential election, national analysts agree it is bad timing for a intra-party struggle.

"The GOP is already penciling in Ohio in their column next year," ABC News senior Washington editor Rick Klein told ONN. "Distractions detract from that."

The full interview with DeWine can be seen this Sunday on Capitol Square.  It airs at 10 a.m., with replays at noon and 7 p.m.