(Columbus) - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine issued the following statement today celebrating February as Black History Month:
"This month serves as an important reminder to Republicans that our party must work every day to achieve diversity. Our conservative principles are shared by many in the African American community, but we need to do more to transform those common values into partisan affiliation.
Ohio Republicans have worked hard to advance opportunity and diversity in public service, becoming the first party to elect an African American county sheriff, county commissioner, state legislator, statewide executive, state supreme court justice, and lieutenant governor. Ohio Republicans also nominated the first African American candidate for governor.
Despite those firsts, our party has a long way to go. We must do more to build on our accomplishments, communicate them to our constituents and improve on our diversity. I challenge every Republican to think toward those ends as we set aside this month to celebrate the contribution of black Americans to our nation's heritage."
