Ohio Republican elected officials are backing 40-year-old Matthew Borges to replace state party chair Bob Bennett. Those include Governor John Kasich, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner and U.S. Senator Rob Portman. An April election is scheduled. Bennett was selected to temporarily lead the party after Kasich allies forced out Kevin DeWine last year. Borges directed Kasich's inaugural committee and managed State Auditor David Yost's 2010 campaign. Borges was convicted in 2004 of misuse of public office in a contributions-for-favors scandal that involved former state Treasurer and current Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters. Borges' record was later cleared.