2nd Republican enters state race

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — A former county auditor and the Republican nominee for state treasurer in 2006 has announced her candidacy for secretary of state.

Sandy O’Brien is the second Republican to enter the race, joining current state Sen. and former House Speaker Jon Husted. The current office-holder, Democrat Kevin Boyce, was appointed earlier this year to fill the seat after Richard Cordray won election as attorney general.

O’Brien, 57, was the Republican nominee for state treasurer in 2006, beating incumbent Jennette Bradley in the primary. She lost that race in the general election to Cordray, 58 percent-42 percent.

O’Brien served as Ashtabula County auditor for a dozen years and holds a master’s degree in administration.

“That’s exactly what the secretary of state is, an administrator of a public office,” she said. “I just see a strong need for leadership in this office.”

She added, in a released statement, “Our elections have become a political minefield. Ohioans have lost faith in the system and that faith needs to be restored. Our elections have been pulled down from the civic process they are supposed to be and have been dragged through the political mud. My goals are to restore trust and to get our elections off of the front page and out of the courts.”