ADVERTISEMENT

    Ohio Gubernatorial Election Heats Up as More Democrats Have Entered the Race

    Since Ohio’s gubernatorial candidates first started filing, a lot has changed, with more candidates entering the Democratic primary and one leaving the Republican primary. Ohioans now have three Republican candidates and seven Democratic candidates to pick from for the state’s next leader, as the February deadline for petition-filing draws nearer.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The GOP’s frontrunner, Attorney General Mike DeWine, has teamed up with former candidate and Secretary of State Jon Husted, who’s now running for lieutenant governor. The duo is endorsed by a handful of county parties, as well as former presidential candidate and senator Rick Santorum.

    DeWine and Husted are running against two others in their party: Jim Renacci, a Trump-branded representative of Ohio’s 16th district, and current Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor. Renacci has received endorsements from Bikers for Trump and Citizens for Trump, while Taylor is backed by Gov. John Kasich, State Senator Louis Terhar, and several state representatives.

    The three GOP candidates are up against seven Democratic runners, including those who first filed: former state representative Connie Pillich, State Senator and former Minority Leader of the Ohio Senate Joe Schiavoni, former U.S. Representative Betty Sutton and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.

    Three more democrats have come onto the scene, landing Ohio on Politico’s list of the top 10 governor’s races of 2018. Richard Cordray, former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and former Ohio Attorney General, joined the race in December, as well as Dave Kiefer, former Wayne County Commissioner and Republican candidate for state representative in 2016, and Bill O’Neill, an Ohio Supreme Court Justice.

    “A late entrance by former CFPB Director Richard Cordray into the primary has added a Democrat with a national profile to the list of about five candidates competing for the nomination. But Republicans in Ohio for months have been gearing up for an aggressive primary and general election to succeed Kasich,” the Politico article reports. “Cordray’s presence in the race has already attracted the support of high profile Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who endorsed Cordray shortly after he jumped into the race.”

    Cordray is also endorsed by television host Jerry Springer and Valerie Jarrett, the Senior Advisor to former president Barack Obama.

    Democrats have earned endorsements from others, too, with former Pennsylvania governor and former Democratic National Convention chairman Ed Rendell endorsing Pillich, and a multitude of labor unions endorsing Schiavoni and Sutton. Whaley has received some local endorsements from Columbus City Councilmembers Elizabeth Brown and Jaiza Page, as well as the support of mayors across Ohio.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    The Confluence Cast: Downtown with Michael Brown

    We're exploring the evolution of downtown with Michael Brown, who has been a cornerstone in the city's development planning and worked both in and outside city government to cheer on its growth. Columbus Underground editor Walker Evans and Mike delve into the city's challenges and triumphs, the synergy between projects, the balance between iconic and neighborhood-level public art investments, and the concerted efforts to address systemic issues like homelessness and affordable housing. Through anecdotes and insights, they highlight Columbus's young, creative energy and the dynamic urban policies that continue to drive its growth.

    Wave of Ohio Zoomers Registering to Vote This November

    More than 48,600 18-year-olds are registered to vote in Ohio as of Jan. 6 — a 35% increase compared to late August, according to data analyzed by the Civics Center, a nonpartisan organization trying to increase voter registration.

    The Confluence Cast: News in the New Year

    As we ease into 2024, we’re taking a quick look back into some happenings that you may have missed as the year turned over. Columbus Underground co-founder and editor Walker Evans discusses a myriad of stories, including the latest in transportation, climate change, local politics, and a dash of comedy here in the capital city.

    The Confluence Cast: Year in Review

    As 2023 draws to a close and we stand on the brink of a new year filled with its own stories and surprises, it’s a time for reflection. In our latest podcast episode, we delve into a retrospective journey, revisiting the moments that defined the year for us. Join Walker Evans, Susan Post, and myself as we engage in a lively discussion about the most impactful, intriguing, and talked-about local stories that have unfolded over the past 365 days.

    Shayla Favor Announces Run for County Office

    Just 23 days after winning reelection to Columbus City...
    Lauren Sega
    Lauren Segahttps://columbusunderground.com
    Lauren Sega is the former Associate Editor for Columbus Underground and a current freelance writer for CU. She covers political issues on the local and state levels, as well as local food and restaurant news. She grew up near Cleveland, graduated from Ohio University's Scripps School of Journalism, and loves running, traveling and hiking.
    ADVERTISEMENT