Cincinnati man to run for state auditor

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — A county commissioner from southwestern Ohio officially entered the 2010 race for state auditor Tuesday.

David Pepper, a Democrat who was asked by Gov. Ted Strickland to seek the party nomination for the seat, announced his intentions during a press conference at the headquarters of the Ohio Democratic Party near the Statehouse.

Incumbent state Auditor Mary Taylor is a Republican. She has not announced her election intentions for 2010.

Pepper, a Cincinnati native, served as a Cincinnati city councilman before winning election as a Hamilton County commissioner. He serves of president of that board.

If elected, Pepper said he would work to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse of public funds and take an independent approach to the auditor’s office, vowing to show no favoritism to either political party.

“The auditor should be the leading voice enforcing ethics and transparency and the first line of defense against corruption and cronyism,” he said, adding, “Our auditor should be the quarterback for getting government in shape to compete, create jobs and fight for and protect the family.”