Ohio Gov. John Kasich is expected to be challenged in the May primary by a state tea party leader, POLITICO reported.
According to a press release sent out on Wednesday night, Ohio Liberty Coalition President Ted Stevenot is likely to announce his candidacy with lieutenant governor candidate, former Ohio Black Republicans Association President Brenda Mack, on Tuesday.
In order to be listed on the primary ballot, Stevenot and Mack must collect 1,000 valid signatures and hand them in to the secretary of state by Feb. 5. If they succeed in doing so, they would issue the first primary challenge to a sitting Ohio governor since the 1970s.
Stevenot and Mack, among over state conservatives, have been critical of Kasich's expansion of medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Though fellow tea party leaders believe the Stevenot-Mack ticket will face a tough battle in terms of fundraising and staffing, they are certain that conservatives will support him.
"I think there's a lot of opportunity for someone who is a true conservative," said Portage County tea party leader Tom Zawistowski, adding Stevenot hails from a region with active tea party movement.
A spokesman for Kasich said the governor isn't concerned about primary challengers.
"His continued leadership will keep Ohio going in the right direction," spokesman Chris Schrimpf said in a statement. "Governor Kasich has and will continue to have the strong backing of the Ohio Republican Party."
Earlier this week, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune announced he will seek the Democratic nomination, challenging Ed FitzGerald of Cuyahoga County.
