Gov. Kasich names first minority to his cabinet

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. John Kasich has made the first minority appointment to his cabinet after a slew of criticism that he was not doing enough to diversify the group of people who supply him with key policy advice.

Kasich today appointed Michael Colbert, who is black, as director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Colbert previously had been serving as interim director of the social welfare agency.

The new Republican governor has made 22 cabinet appointments. Colbert is the first minority. The other nominees are all white, which had been a first for the state since 1962.

Black lawmakers last week demanded that the governor name minorities to top posts. They also set up an e-mail address for qualified candidates to submit resumes for the jobs.