In 2016, the Ohio House Republican Organizational Caucus did not endorse him, along with Paul Zeltwanger and Wes Retherford, as he would not participate in the activities of the committee.

[7] In 2015, he voted against the proposed state budget as it included expanded Medicaid from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vitale refused to wear a mask, as recommended by various health agencies and Ohio governor Mike DeWine, citing his religious beliefs.

[19][20] Vitale previously drew controversy after appearing several times in interviews with an anti-vaccination group, Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom, where he claimed one of his children had a vaccine injury.

In the video, Vitale showed three young people placing an industry-grade gas detection unit under their masks and in front of their noses and mouths as they breathe.

[23] In August 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, he joined John Becker, Candice Keller, and Paul Zeltwanger in sponsoring a move to impeach against Mike DeWine, Ohio's Republican governor.

[25][24][26][27] Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken "issued a scathing condemnation of the trio of conservatives",[28] calling the move “a baseless, feeble attempt at creating attention for themselves.”[24] Ohio House Speaker, Republican Bob Cupp, called it an "imprudent attempt" to cause "a state constitutional crisis".

'"[26] CNN's Chris Cillizza analyzed it as one of several examples of how Donald Trump had politicized public health matters to the point Republican lawmakers felt they needed to make extreme and pointless moves in order to satisfy the base.