James B. Renacci (/rɪˈneɪsi/ rih-NAY-see; born December 3, 1958) is an American accountant, businessman, and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 16th congressional district from 2011 to 2019.

[1] In 2018, Renacci was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, losing to Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown by a 7-point margin.

[5][6] Renacci earned a degree in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and became a Certified Public Accountant and financial advisor.

[9] Renacci also served as AFL Executive Committee Vice Chairman and is a partial owner of the Lancaster JetHawks, a minor league baseball team.

Renacci announced on August 24, 2009, that he would run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Ohio's 16th district,[10][11] officially filing on January 11, 2010.

[13] Renacci defeated Democratic incumbent John Boccieri by 52% to 41% with 7% of the vote going to Libertarian candidate Jeffrey Blevins.

[24] In 2015, Renacci was amongst 60 Republicans voting to uphold President Barack Obama's 2014 executive order banning federal contractors from making hiring decisions that discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

[30][31] Politico reported that "as a wealthy auto dealer prior to being elected to Congress, Renacci would potentially be able to self-fund a statewide bid.

Renacci's campaign, in response, said he never lobbied, and had only been registered as a lobbyist with a consulting firm, Smokerise International Group, he helped found in 2008 as a "precautionary measure."

[38] In October 2018, he defended flying on the plane of a strip club owner to meet with religious figures, staying "He's a volunteer who...

"[39] At the time, press and Ohio Republicans noted that since the May primary, Renacci had spent half a million on advertising, while Brown had spent $12.5 million, and "some Ohio Republicans have questioned whether Renacci's lack of advertising reflects his unwillingness to spend his own money on his race.

[citation needed] On June 25, 2020, Renacci announced that he had been drafted to serve as the Chairman of the Medina County GOP.

[42][43][44] In May 2021, NBC News reported that Brad Parscale was offering unpaid support to Renacci in considering a gubernatorial bid.

He said he wouldn't have hired Amy Acton, Ohio Department of Health director, saying her announcement of early predictions about COVID-19 had been a "scare tactic.

[citation needed] In 2012, The Christian Science Monitor included Renacci in its list of the 10 richest members of Congress, estimating his net worth at $36.67 million.