Ohio Gov.-Elect Mike DeWine Says Inauguration Will be Celebration of ‘Faith, Family, and Friends’

Gov.-elect Mike DeWine (R-OH) announced key leaders of his Inaugural Committee and staff this week who will oversee a week-long celebration of “faith, family, and friends” after the Ohio’s next governor is sworn in.

According to a Thursday press release, Suzanne and Michael Kiggin were named chairs of the committee and David Luketic, DeWine’s former campaign manager, will act as the committee’s executive director.

“We are fortunate to have the talents of our friends Suzanne and Michael Kiggin as our Inaugural Committee Chairs and David Luketic as the Inaugural Committee Executive Director,” DeWine said in a press release. “Our goal is to honor the rich history of Ohio while celebrating our bright future ahead with faith, family, and friends.”

The inaugural activities will begin Friday, January 11 and last through January 14, the day DeWine and Lt. Gov.-elect Jon Husted (R-OH) will be sworn in.

On Wednesday, DeWine also named several key staff members, including long-time aide Laurel Dawson as his chief of staff. Dawson worked as DeWine’s chief of staff while he was a congressman and U.S. senator, and previously served as cabinet director for former Gov. George Voinovich (R-OH).

DeWine also announced that Alisha Nelson will be the state’s first director of its new Recovery Ohio initiative, a new division in the Office of the Governor designed to tackle the opioid crisis in the state.

“The director’s goal is to create a system that helps make treatment available to Ohioans in need; provides support services for those in recovery and their families; offers direction for the state’s prevention and education efforts; and works with local law enforcement to provide resources to fight illicit drugs at their source,” DeWine’s office explains.

DeWine named General John C. Harris Jr. as his nominee for adjutant general, and Assistant Attorney General Mary Mertz as his nominee for director of the Department of Natural Resources.

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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mike Dewine” by Mike Dewine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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