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State House member to run for Ohio treasurer
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Pillich
COLUMBUS
State Rep. Connie Pillich, who’s traveled statewide for the past few months to test the waters for a 2014 Ohio treasurer bid, officially declared her candidacy for the position.
“I’m running for treasurer because working families, small-business owners, and seniors need someone who will fight for them,” Pillich said Monday. “Ohioans deserve a treasurer who will do the job she was elected to do and will make sure our tax dollars are protected and used wisely.”
Pillich of Montgomery, D-28th, near Cincinnati, is a three-term Ohio House member who is making her first statewide run.
She is challenging Republican incumbent Josh Mandel of Beachwood, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate last year.
“Josh Mandel has worked tirelessly for Ohioans as a watchdog of our tax dollars, and his record of cutting his own budget, modernizing his office and earning a ‘AAA’ credit rating on the multibillion-dollar investment fund he manages, speaks for itself,” said Ohio Republican Party Chairman-elect Matt Borges.
Pillich criticized Mandel, saying, “And frankly, it’s about time we had a real leader in the treasurer’s office. Ohio needs someone who actually wants to be treasurer, someone who will show up to do the job and put qualified people to work with her.”
Borges said Pillich joined her fellow Democrats “in pursuing disastrous fiscal policies” during her time in the Ohio House, and “voters will reject her candidacy.”
Pillich is the third Democrat to announce a statewide run. The others are Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald for governor against incumbent Republican John Kasich, and former Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper for attorney general against incumbent Republican Mike DeWine.
Also, state Sen. Nina Turner of Cleveland, D-25th, and state Rep. John Carney of Columbus, D-22nd are expected to announce their candidacies for secretary of state and auditor, respectively. The two have campaigned throughout the state. The current officeholders are Republicans: Secretary of State Jon Husted and Auditor Dave Yost, both of whom are seeking re-election next year.