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Treasurer: ‘Best politics is doing a good job’
YOUNGSTOWN — Ohio Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce said if he’s going to win the 2010 election for his seat, he must persuade Northeast Ohio voters to support him.
“It’s critical,” Boyce, a Democrat from Columbus, said of winning the Mahoning Valley vote. “Northeast Ohio in general is crucial for a Democratic candidate. The heart of the Democratic vote is in Northeast Ohio including Youngstown, Akron, Cleveland and all the places in between and around. Hopefully, I can convince the voters in this area.”
Boyce spoke Friday with The Vindicator in between two public events in Youngstown: a Women and Money conference at Youngstown State University that provides advice and assistance to help women better manage their finances, and at the Associated Neighborhood Center’s annual meeting at the McGuffey Centre.
Boyce has visited the Mahoning Valley about a half-dozen times since his appointment to state treasurer in January.
He plans to be back.
“You get around and try to connect with the voters and help them understand who I am,” he said.
Boyce replaced Richard Cordray, who vacated the treasurer’s office after being elected attorney general. Gov. Ted Strickland selected Boyce, a Columbus councilman, to the fill Cordray’s term, which expires at the end of 2010.
Boyce will run for a full four-year term next year. The leading Republican candidate for treasurer is state Rep. Josh Mandel of Lyndhurst, R-17th.
With several major races on next year’s ballot including a U.S. Senate seat, governor, secretary of state and attorney general, Boyce said he is working hard to build his name-recognition.
“Our motto is ‘the best politics is doing a good job,’” he said “We believe if we work hard, do a good job and make a difference in communities, the public will recognize what leadership we bring to the table. You get your name out by making good decisions.”
The treasurer manages billions of dollars in state assets. The office is responsible for collecting state taxes and fees and overseeing investments of those funds.
skolnick@vindy.com