Gov. Mike DeWine's legislative director with past FirstEnergy ties resigns Friday
Jessie Balmert
COLUMBUS – Gov. Mike DeWine's top lobbyist Dan McCarthy resigned, effective Friday, after nearly three years on the job.
McCarthy, former leader of The Success Group lobbying firm and a Democrat, led DeWine's fights against restrictions on the state health department during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped pass a gas tax hike in 2019.
"As with any intense experience, there is a time to take a break," McCarthy wrote in a Thursday letter to DeWine. "I know I’ve run quite a bit over my two-year commitment but I think now is the right time to resign as your Legislative Director."
McCarthy came under fire for his close ties to Akron-based FirstEnergy, which recently admitted it bribed public officials to achieve a $1 billion bailout for two nuclear plants in northern Ohio. McCarthy's resignation letter did not reference FirstEnergy or House Bill 6.
Before joining DeWine's administration, McCarthy was a lobbyist for FirstEnergy and served as president of Partners for Progress, a FirstEnergy-funded dark money group that donated money to then-Rep. Larry Householder's political operation.
McCarthy said he was not aware of "anything illegal or unethical" about Partners for Progress' operations or transactions.
In July, Democratic lawmakers called on McCarthy and DeWine's top adviser Laurel Dawson to resign. Rep. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, said the two didn't deserve the privilege of a taxpayer-funded job.
DeWine has repeatedly defended McCarthy and Dawson, saying they did nothing wrong.
"Governor, it’s been the ride of a lifetime," McCarthy wrote. "And although I am really sad at the thought of not being with you and the team, I can go to sleep every night knowing that for a moment in time my professional life had real meaning and I was able to make a difference in people’s lives."
McCarthy's replacement will be Aaron Crooks, who served as deputy director.
Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.