The Ohio Governor race just got a big shot of excitement:
GROVE CITY, Ohio (AP) — Former consumer watchdog Richard Cordray says he will focus his campaign for governor on improving the lives of Ohio's families.
At a hometown diner crowded with press and supporters, the 58-year-old Cordray said Tuesday that he will focus on "kitchen table issues" like the costs of health care and college.
Cordray is a former Ohio attorney general and state treasurer. He said his resignation last month as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau balanced a call from former President Barack Obama to "keep fighting" and his interest in getting ready to run for governor.
Before heading up the CFPB, Cordray had established a record in Ohio politics and he might be facing a rematch:
Cordray previously served as state attorney general and state treasurer. Before that, he was treasurer of Columbus' Franklin County and briefly a member of the Ohio House.
Cordray's last race was in 2010 when he lost to current Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine in a close race. DeWine is running for governor in 2018 as a Republican, so the two could face off again.
Other Democrats in the race include Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill, former state Rep. Connie Pillich, state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.
Last week, DeWine named Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted as his running mate. The powerful Republican duo was hoping to clear the primary field, which includes Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci.
They are all running to replace term-limited GOP Gov. John Kasich. The primary is May 8.
But Cordray welcomes a potential rematch with DeWine:
"If that's the rematch, I'm looking forward to the rematch," Cordray said.
Some of his fellow candidates have expressed disappointment with him leaving the CFPB, which threw the agency into a leadership crisis and eventually handed control of it to Republican President Donald Trump. Cordray's term as CFPB director lasted until July.
His months-long feud with congressional Republicans and Trump will likely draw national attention to the race.
Cordray has deep ties to the Obama administration. Former Ohio and U.S. Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow, an Ohio native who served under President Bill Clinton, will serve as his campaign's treasurer.
Cordray faces state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, former state Rep. Connie Pillich and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill for the primary. O'Neill had said he would drop out when Cordray entered, but indicated Monday to cleveland.com that might not be the case.
While Ohio did go to Trump, it has not just one but two chances to prove it truly elects Populists. With U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D. OH) also running for re-election, Ohio will be a big state for Democrats to focus on. So let’s give Cordray a great head start. Click here to donate and get involved with Cordray’s campaign.