State auditor announces candidacy for re-election

Special to The Vindicator

COLUMBUS — State Auditor Mary Taylor has made official her plans to seek re-election next year.

The lone Republican holding a statewide office announced her intentions during a press conference at the Statehouse on Wednesday.

“In 2006, Ohio voters elected me the first CPA to serve as auditor of state, to bring sound professional judgment and experience to the office,” she said. “Since that time, we have made measurable progress in providing Ohioans protection from government fraud and wasteful spending of their hard-earned tax dollars.”

Her announcement Wednesday came about a week after Democratic challenger David Pepper’s entrance in the race. Pepper is a former Cincinnati councilman and current Hamilton County commissioner.

The auditor will serve a key role in the next redistricting process — the office-holder is a member of the board that will draw legislative district lines for the next decade.

Taylor is a longtime resident of Green, where she served as a city councilwoman prior to two terms in the Ohio House. She was elected auditor in 2006.