Strickland chooses running mate

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Yvette McGee Brown

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Governor Ted Strickland

By Marc Kovac

COLUMBUS — The state’s top Democrat officially kicked off his re-election campaign Tuesday, naming a Columbus-area judge as his running mate in the process.

Ending months of speculation, Gov. Ted Strickland named former Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Yvette McGee Brown as his choice for lieutenant governor. They will face expected Republican challenger John Kasich and his running mate, state Auditor Mary Taylor.

Strickland said he approached Brown about becoming lieutenant governor more than three years ago, adding that Brown brings diversity to the ticket and is “superbly qualified” for the post.

“She is a person who has great charisma, tremendous communication skills,” he said. “She is an inspiring individual. ... I wanted someone who was committed to public service and who shared my values and my political philosophy.”

Brown praised Strickland’s work in office and particularly his efforts to reform school funding and the state’s education system.

“He understands that success in life requires more than memorizing time tables,” she said. “And that we have challenge and inspire our children to not only repeat old answers but to ask new questions.”

Strickland announced his running-mate selection in an e-mail message to supporters early Tuesday afternoon, then made it official during a rally at the Ohio Democratic Party Headquarters shortly thereafter.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine called Brown “a social worker with no experience in public finance or state government. That should tell you something about the fate of this administration. Clearly no one else wanted to run with Ted Strickland, because they know he’s a one-term governor.”

Strickland defended Brown, saying she was an attorney who has served as legal counsel for several state agencies, in addition to her time as a judge.

“She is currently presiding over a $30 million budget [at her advocacy agency] with, I believe, perhaps as many as 400 employees,” he said. “She brings vast experience to the job of lieutenant governor.”

Brown is a lifelong resident of Columbus and daughter of a single teenage mother. She earned her law degree from Ohio State University and was the first black and second woman elected to the Franklin County court, where she served for about nine years.

In 2002, she retired from the bench to create the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which focuses on preventing and treating child abuse.

“I have dedicated my life to working and strengthening families,” Brown said. “And for three years now, I have watched this governor, his pragmatic, compassionate leadership, and seen firsthand how much he has done for Ohio’s families, for our children and for our future.”

Brown and her husband, Tony, have three children.