Kaczala plans run for secretary of state

9/28/2001

Lucas County Auditor Larry A. Kaczala will formally announce his candidacy Monday for the 2002 Republican nomination for Ohio secretary of state.

The 44-year-old attorney, former city councilman, and former president of the state auditors association overcame a Democrat voter majority to become the sole Republican county officer.

He has spent the last year working the GOP chicken-dinner circuit across the state to position himself with the rank-and-file for a statewide run.

He will make the announcement in Toledo at 9 a.m. in the county commissioners' room at One Government Center. Additional ceremonies will follow during the week in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton.

Mr. Kaczala could face primary challenges from state Rep. Ann Womer Benjamin (R., Aurora) and Lee Weingart, a high-tech sales executive and a former Cuyahoga County commissioner.

On the Democratic side, it could be a contest between Columbus City Councilwoman Charletta Tavares and state Rep. Bryan Flannery (D., Lakewood).