Rep. Jim Renacci is something of a political survivor, having ousted a Democratic incumbent, John Boccieri, in 2010. | AP Photo Rep. Renacci eyes Ohio gubernatorial bid

Ohio Rep. Jim Renacci has begun calling Republican donors to express serious interest in a 2018 run for governor, according to two people briefed on the conversations.

Renacci, who sits on the tax-writing Ways and Means committee, was just elected to a fourth term in the House of Representatives. Should he run, he would likely face a crowded field of Republican candidates that could include Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted and state Attorney General Mike DeWine. The incumbent Republican governor, John Kasich, is not eligible for another term.


The 58-year-old congressman did not respond to a text message requesting comment. But a Renacci aide said that "given the rapidly growing encouragement from people across the state who believe it's time for a fresh face with his type of business background, it's become increasingly very likely that he will strongly consider a statewide run this cycle."

Renacci, whose district is based in northeastern Ohio, is something of a political survivor, having ousted a Democratic incumbent, John Boccieri, in 2010 and then defeating another Democratic member, Betty Sutton, in a 2012 post-redistricting battle.

As a wealthy auto dealer prior to being elected to Congress, Renacci would potentially be able to self-fund a statewide bid.