Did Cincinnati's Amy Murray vote for Trump? She won't say, but she's joining a Trump-lover's ticket

Ohio governor candidate Jim Renacci made it official Monday, picking Cincinnati City Council member Amy Murray as his running mate.

Renacci, a U.S. House member, is seeking the Republican nomination to replace Gov. John Kasich, who is term-limited.

Hailing from Wadsworth, west of Akron, Renacci is framing himself as a businessman outsider and unabashed supporter of President Donald Trump.

"Trump is liked by Republicans in Ohio," he said at the press conference.

Murray has been quiet about her opinions of the president. She told the Enquirer after the announcement at Hilton Netherland Plaza she wanted to remain focused on city issues while on City Council.

She would not say if she voted for Trump but said she supports his policies.

"I support what he's doing. He's been doing a great job without a lot of media support," Murray told The Enquirer. "We have had growth the last two quarters of 3 percent...it's benefitting all of the American public."

Renacci is running under the motto, "Ohio First," mirroring some of Trump's "America First" policies.

"I want Ohio to be first," Renacci said. "First in jobs. First in family values."

Renacci said both he and Murray are business people "who don't just want to spend money."

in a fundraising email which went out shortly after the announcement, Murray wrote: "Despite what we often hear, Ohio is on a dangerous path, and it’s time for some business-minded leadership to step in to right the ship."

Ohio has been run by a GOP governor John Kasich since 2011; the party also controls both houses of the legislature and the state's top court.  

Zac Haines, a member of the Hamilton County Republican Party executive committee, introduced the ticket Monday. He called Murray "the sole conservative voice" on City Council.

Both Renacci and Murray said they stepped out of the business world to serve the public out of frustration with government.

Renacci said the federal government's bailout of General Motors and other carmakers shut down one dealership he owned, while Murray said she watched Cincinnati struggle to balance its budget for years.

"Career politicians have only created jobs for themselves. The only drive for them was to get re-elected." Renacci said. "Murray's created jobs for someone other than herself."

Renacci was referring to Murray's 14-year stint working for Procter and Gamble. The gubernatorial candidate touts that he created 1,500 jobs through his financial consulting and car and motorcycle dealership businesses.

"This man is incredible," Murray said. "His character, his ethics, his leadership."

Murray adds a Southwest Ohio balance to the ticket, and she said their diversity will be their strength.

When it comes to opioid crisis Ohio is facing, she said, "It's important to be different. Women talk about it differently than men do."

Two prominent Republicans - Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted - recently united to form a "superticket" with DeWine on top. 

Also running for the GOP nomination: Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor. 

Democrats in the race include former consumer watchdog Richard Cordray. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill, former state Rep. Connie Pillich, state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.

Murray won re-election to Cincinnati City Council in November. She finished last among the incumbents and eighth overall in the nine-seat race with 23 candidates on the ballot.

If elected in the 2018 governor's race, Murray would have to leave council. In Cincinnati, vacated seats are filled by appointment. Each councilmember chooses other councilmembers as proxies to find someone to fill their position.

During her last term, Murray chose Charlie Winburn and Chris Smitherman. She said this term, she will likely choose Smitherman and freshman councilman Jeff Pastor, but added that Hamilton County GOP would also have a heavy influence in the decision.