Franklin County clerk of courts will seek Dem nod for office of Ohio secretary of state

COLUMBUS — A clerk of courts from central Ohio will seek the Democratic nomination for secretary of state.

Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, clerk of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court and a former Columbus city councilwoman, made her announcement Monday, two days after Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Garrison announced she was dropping out of the race.

O’Shaughnessy has the backing of Gov. Ted Strickland and Chris Redfern, Democratic Party state chairman.

In a released statement, Redfern said, “After consultations with Democratic officials, our friends in Labor and numerous additional Democratic stakeholders, Gov. Strickland and I have concluded that Maryellen O’Shaughnessy is without a doubt the best candidate to be Ohio’s next secretary of state. I enthusiastically support her candidacy, I congratulate her on her decision, and I look forward to working with her in the weeks and months ahead.”

Garrison, who is eligible to seek another term in the Ohio House, said over the weekend that she will not run for re-election.

She said in a released statement, “While I have determined this is not the right time for me and my family to seek this office, my utmost hope is that the voters will challenge all secretary of state candidates to explain how they will increase voter participation and facilitate business growth in Ohio. I ask the next secretary of state to be committed to the principles of transparent and fair elections and to concentrate on increasing voter participation.”

Redfern told reporters late last week the Democratic primary for the secretary of state’s office would be uncontested. If that holds true, O’Shaughnessy would face the winner of the Republican Primary — currently, either Jon Husted, former Speaker of the House and current state senator; or Sandy O’Brien, a former county auditor who ran for state treasurer in 2006.

In a separate announcement Monday, incumbent state Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce, a Democrat, officially launched his election campaign. Republican state Rep. Josh Mandel, from the Cleveland area, is seeking his party’s nomination for the post.

mkovac@dixcom.com