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(CNN) --
Gov. Mike DeWine will win Ohio's Republican gubernatorial primary, according to a CNN Decision Desk projection, beating three contenders as he seeks a second term in office.
DeWine, a staunch conservative but occasional critic of former President Donald Trump, benefited from the failure of his two main rivals, former Rep. Jim Renacci and Joe Blystone, a farmer and first-time candidate, to solidify Trump's support base.
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A nearly 40-year veteran of Ohio Republican politics, DeWine seemed vulnerable early in the campaign after a right-wing backlash to his early aggressive handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But his opponents struggled to raise money and DeWine, who has strong ties to the state business community, entered the final weeks of the campaign with a comfortable lead in the polls.
DeWine will face either former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley or former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley in the November general election, both of whom are vying for the Democratic nomination in a close race.
