State senator to run for governor

By Marc Kovac

COLUMBUS — State Sen. Kevin Coughlin has made official his intentions to run for governor in 2010.

The Republican from Cuyahoga Falls announced his entrance into the race via a video posted on the Internet this week.

“Everywhere I go, the same theme follows me,” he said in the clip. “People are anxious about who will lead in Columbus. Our state hasn’t been turned around. Our state is adrift. ... We need visionary leadership that will step forward with a clear plan on how to change our state and improve the lives of Ohioans and businesses.”

Coughlin is among the first candidates to officially launch his campaign for governor.

Incumbent Democrat Ted Strickland has not officially announced his re-election intentions, though he’s said he doesn’t see any reason why he would not run again.

Coughlin served in the Ohio House from 1997-2001 and has represented Summit County in the Senate since then. Term limits prevent him from running again for the Senate seat.

In his video announcement, Coughlin said the state needs to focus on issues that matter to Ohioans, including reviving the economy and boosting job creation.

“We have to come to grips with the reality that it is simply too expensive for employers to create and keep jobs in this state,” he said. “We have to get back to the basics, make sure that we have a tax, regulatory and legal framework and environment that is welcoming to jobs and job creation and job development.”

Coughlin is a graduate of Wood- ridge High School and has a bachelor’s degree and master’s of public administration from Bowling Green University. He and his wife have two daughters.

mkovac@dixcom.com