U.S. Rep. Rennaci declares candidacy for Ohio governor

Says road to success is not open to many other Americans

3/20/2017
BY TOM TROY
BLADE POLITICS WRITER

U.S. Rep. Jim Rennaci (R., Wadsworth) today added his name to the growing list of candidates for governor of Ohio in 2018.

Mr. Renacci issued a statement declaring his candidacy and highlighting his rise from a family in near-poverty to finding economic success. He said that road to success is not open to many other Americans.

“Sadly, for far too many Americans that dream is no longer a reality and that road to success is often a dead end, reserved only for the privileged and the politically connected. It’s past time for that to change and that’s why I’m running to lead our state as its next Governor,” Mr. Renacci said.

Mr. Renacci, 58, a former Wadsworth mayor, was first elected to Congress in 2010. He would seek to succeed two-term Republican Gov. John Kasich who is barred from seeking a third term.

“Unlike other candidates, I’ve spent the vast majority of my career in the business world, not politics. I’m proud to have created over 1,500 jobs in our state and employed over 3,000 hard working Ohioans. I believe deeply in the value of results, not rhetoric, and I am committed to putting that brand of principled, conservative, business-based thinking to work on behalf of the people of our state,” he said in his prepared remarks.

“For far too long, career politicians in both Washington and Columbus have been looking out for themselves, not us, and now more than ever we need a serious, conservative outsider to lead our state who will always put Ohio first. We need a leader who will end the ‘pay to play’ sweetheart deals that have corrupted Columbus. We need a leader who truly understands what it takes to keep and attract good paying jobs to Ohio and who knows how to simplify our tax code for Ohio families and businesses. And we need a leader who will put an end to the over-regulation that continues to hold Ohio’s economy back,” Mr. Renacci’s prepared remarks said.

Mr. Renacci enters a crowded field.

On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor has announced her bid to replace her boss. Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted are also considered likely candidates.

Among Democrats, former Cincinnati area state Rep. Connie Pillich, state Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D., Boardman), and former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton of the Akron area have announced.

Also considered a possibility is Richard Cordray, the former Ohio attorney general and treasurer and now top federal consumer watchdog. Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill, the only Democrat now holding statewide office, has said he’s considering a run.

Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy.