Everything to know about Mike DeWine’s inauguration speech

Following his inauguration, newly elected Ohio Governor Mike DeWine addressed the state with a speech from the Ohio Capitol Building which promised hope and unity for the state.

[dropcap txtcolor="#234a83"]M[/dropcap]ike DeWine took office on Monday as the 70th governor of Ohio, after beating his Democratic opponent, Richard Cordray, in the 2018 election.DeWine’s inauguration speech at the Ohio Statehouse stressed the themes of optimism and unity for the state of Ohio. DeWine outlined two broad goals: Ohio must protect its most vulnerable citizens, and everyone should have equal opportunity to achieve the American dream if they work hard.As governor, DeWine wants to focus on long-term progress, and that he hopes Ohio will feel the benefits of his administration long after his administration and his lifetime, sharing a familial anecdote to stress the point.“My grandfather kept planting trees until his death in his mid-80’s," DeWine said. "At that time, I thought, as a young man, I thought ‘He’s not going to live to see these trees grow.' Now, in just a few weeks … his great grandson, our son John, will once again tap those very maple trees,” DeWine said.DeWine said he’d ask the general assembly of Ohio and the people of Ohio to accept policies that will have a profound, but not immediate impact of the state.“It is with that eye to the future and with great optimism that I will serve as your governor because I truly, truly believe that the best is yet to come,” DeWine said.The new governor also said he wants to implement a policy to help at-risks children at an early age and improve their educational opportunities.[AdSense-A]“And everyone, everyone, no matter where they were born or who their parents are, deserves a chance to succeed, to get a good paying job, to raise a family comfortably, and to be secure in their future,” DeWine said. “We will be fierce, and we will be passionate advocates and defenders of the defenseless.”Furthermore, DeWine said he wants to seek solutions and opinions from a diverse array of people and that he’ll work with local governments and community leaders to implement his policies.Speaking directly to Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, DeWine said they’re going to build a bridge together, referring to the planned replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River in Cincinnati.In his speech, DeWine took time to thank his wife, Frances Struewing. DeWine and his wife have eight kids and 23 grandchildren. “And more than anyone else, she’s responsible for me being here today," DeWine said. "Anyone who knows us knows that I would not be governor if it wasn’t for Fran."Among the distinguished attendees of the inauguration were four of the five living former governors of Ohio, Senator Rob Portman, and Bevin.To close the inauguration ceremony, an Islamic imam, a Jewish rabbi, and a Christian preacher gave a closing benediction.DeWine was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio and lived just outside of Cedarville before taking the governor’s office. He is the first governor from the Miami Valley since James Cox, who took office in 1917.He has been in politics for over 40 years. DeWine has served as Greene County prosecutor, a state senator, a representative from Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, lieutenant governor, senator from Ohio and attorney general before becoming the governor.DeWine’s cabinet could be the most diverse in Ohio history. Of his 22 cabinet picks, a majority, 13,  are women and 5 are African American. He has also picked registered Democrat Dan McCarthy to run his legislative affairs.DeWine said that he will sign the heartbeat bill. This bill, which was vetoed by Kasich, would ban abortions once the fetus has a detectable heartbeat. The constitutionality of such a bill has seen widespread coverage.