Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, pledged Tuesday that he will not serve more than two terms if elected to the Senate this November and signed a pledge in Cincinnati that would make term limits the norm.
“The problem with career politicians is that they make decisions based on their next election instead of the next generation. I’m a small biz owner, not a career politician like Brown. That’s why I’m pledging to the people of Ohio to serve no more than 2 Senate terms. #OHSen,” Renacci tweeted.
The problem with career politicians is that they make decisions based on their next election instead of the next generation. I’m a small biz owner, not a career politician like Brown. That’s why I’m pledging to the people of Ohio to serve no more than 2 Senate terms. #OHSen pic.twitter.com/UmhFF7qqNW
— Jim Renacci (@JimRenacci) July 10, 2018
Renacci, a four-term member of the U.S. House, challenged his opponent Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, to do the same, arguing term limits were the way to restore accountability to the nation’s capital.
“We need senators who go in, do what’s right for their states and leave,” Renacci said during a rally Tuesday morning, public radio station WVXU reports. “He should term-limit himself, because people don’t want people in Congress 20, 30, years.”
Brown, who has served 12 years in the Senate since being elected in 2006 was similarly challenged in 2012 when State Treasurer Josh Mandel threw down the gauntlet. Brown did not accept the challenge then, and thus far has shown no indication he will do so this time.
“Congressman Renacci’s word is worthless,” said Preston Maddock, communications director of Friends of Sherrod Brown. “He’s already said he doesn’t believe in term limits and, as a four-term congressman, he’s in violation of this gimmick pledge.”
Lara Sisselman, a communications rep for the Ohio Democrat Party, later responded to Renacci’s tweet saying, “.@RepJimRenacci: – Been in politics since 1999 – Is a four-term Congressman – Was running for governor, then switched to the Senate race because he thought it was easier to win – Was a registered lobbyist while in Congress #OHSen.”
.@RepJimRenacci:
– Been in politics since 1999
– Is a four-term Congressman
– Was running for governor, then switched to the Senate race because he thought it was easier to win
– Was a registered lobbyist while in Congress#OHSen https://t.co/cLULYeJSfT— Lara Sisselman (@larasisselman) July 10, 2018
Meanwhile, Renacci signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge, promising to vote for a constitutional amendment that would limit House members to three two-year terms and senators to two six-year terms.
Bob Berry, regional director of the U.S. Term Limits, was present at the signing to witness Renacci’s pledge, along with signing himself, WVXU reports.
Renacci, who boasts a picture of himself with President Trump as his Twitter profile photo, has also secured the president’s endorsement.
