Surprise DeWine-Husted GOP Governor Ticket

During the September OMA board of directors meeting, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted separately pitched directors on their qualifications and visions as candidates for governor in the 2018 general election.

This week, in a move that wasn’t foreseen, DeWine and Husted announced as running mates, with DeWine positioned as the gubernatorial candidate and Husted as his lieutenant governor. In Ohio, the offices of governor and lieutenant governor run as a team.

Barring other actions, this leaves a three-way GOP primary between DeWine, U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.

Democrats in the race include Ohio Senator Joe Schiavoni (Austintown), Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, former Congresswoman Betty Sutton and former State Representative Connie Pillich. Ohio Supreme Court Justice William M. O’Neill has also declared. Richard Cordray, first and former director of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is expected to announce his candidacy imminently. Entertainer Jerry Springer this week announced he would not make a run at the office. 11/30/2017