COLUMBUS – Ohio’s statewide field for 2018 is crowded and raucous already — a full year ahead of the traditional campaign high season.
Republican Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor is expected to formalize her run for Ohio governor during remarks at the City Club of Cleveland on Friday.
The 51-year-old Taylor has served by GOP Gov. John Kasich’s side since 2011. He has already pledged he’ll endorse her.
Taylor, of Green, is a former two-term state representative and state auditor. She stepped down as the state’s insurance director in March in anticipation of her gubernatorial run.
Last month, Taylor made public that her two sons have struggled with opioid addiction, adding her family to the thousands affected by the national prescription painkiller and heroin crisis.
According to her campaign, Taylor will lay out her plans to move Ohio forward through job creation, strengthening Ohio families, improving the education system and cutting government red tape.
She joins a field that will probably include at least three other Republicans and three other female candidates.
Eight major-party candidates have entered or soon will enter the race to succeed Republican Gov. John Kasich, who’s term-limited. That means both Republicans and Democrats will see busy spring primaries to pick their nominees.
The Republicans who preceded Taylor in announcing their plans are Attorney General Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Jon Husted and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci.
The Democratic contenders are state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, the former Senate Minority Leader; former state representative Connie Pillich, former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.
Constance A. Gadell-Newton, of Columbus, is the candidate for the Green Party.
Down-ticket races for attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor also are getting interesting, as Republicans depart the positions due to term limits. That provides opportunities for aspiring Republicans and openings for Democrats after 2014’s bruising defeats.
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Treasurer Josh Mandel and Cleveland banker Mike Gibbons are seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown next fall.