Cuyahoga County executive creates gubernatorial exploratory committee

March 12, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald created an exploratory committee for a potential run against Republican Gov. John Kasich next year.

FitzGerald, a Democrat, filed papers Monday with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office to establish the committee that will allow him to raise and spend money without officially being a gubernatorial candidate.

FitzGerald has traveled around the state, including two public stops in the Mahoning Valley, for months in an effort to increase his name recognition in preparation for a 2014 gubernatorial run. In recent weeks, he’s hired staff to help launch his campaign.

FitzGerald, a former Lakewood mayor who is in his first term as Cuyahoga County executive, said Monday that he was “beginning a conversation” with the people of Ohio. An email sent to reporters stated FitzGerald “reading [a] run” against Kasich.

“Do we really have to settle for a governor who wants new taxes on everyday Ohioans while giving big tax breaks for those at the top?” FitzGerald said. “Or is something better possible? I think something better is possible.”

In response, Ohio Republican Party spokesman Matthew Henderson said, “Ohioans just can’t wait for two years’ worth of more negative attacks.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-13th, who’s considering a gubernatorial run, said he’ll have a decision shortly.

Ryan told The Vindicator in December that his return to the House Appropriations Committee made it less likely he’d leave Congress to run for governor. Since then, he’s only said he’s considering the gubernatorial post and would have a decision by early this year.

Other Democrats mentioned as potential Kasich challengers include former Attorney General Richard Cordray, the head of the president’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton.