SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio -- The Summit County Republican Party announced that it is endorsing Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine for Ohio governor, according to a news release.

The Summit County Republican Executive Committee met Saturday morning to discuss endorsements for the May 2018 primary election, the release says. They voted to endorse DeWine for the Republican gubernatorial nomination over three other candidates: Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci.

"At the beginning of 2017, when four strong Republican candidates for the Republican nomination emerged, our Party leadership decided that we should let the candidates make their case and see who ends the year in the strongest position," Summit County Republican Executive Committee Chairman Bryan C. Williams said in the news release.

The news release says DeWine's name recognition, performance as Ohio Attorney General, including his fight to end the drug epidemic, along with his conservative governing philosophy prompted the endorsement.

DeWine released a statement following the endorsement:

"I want to thank the Summit County Party for their support and trust," DeWine said. "I'm thrilled to add support from Ohio's fourth largest county to the fast growing list of elected officials and county parties who support me."