Profile

Jennifer Brunner - Ohio Secretary of State

Ohio’s new Democrat Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner brings to her position years of experience as Legislative Council for the Secretary of State’s office, as special prosecutor for election fraud and as a private practice election law attorney. Prior to announcing her candidacy, Brunner served as a Judge of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court. She defeated her Republican opponent, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann, by a margin of 55 to 40 percent.

Throughout her campaign, Brunner promised to ensure that Ohio’s elections are fair, open, honest and can be audited and verified. She vowed that as the state’s top election official, she would not campaign for issues or candidates on the ballot.

Brunner has proposed expanding the ability to vote by mail in certain elections, a system which saves money and makes voting easier in some states. Brunner also took action soon after taking office to settle lawsuits which could cost the state large amounts of money for attorneys’ fees.

Brunner became involved in events leading to the attempted veto by Governor Ted Strickland of legislation passed by the Ohio General Assembly in December of 2006, before Strickland and Brunner took office. Brunner returned the bill, which had already been filed with her office, to the Governor. Strickland also says he consulted with her prior to attempting to veto the bill.  The attempted veto has prompted an expensive legal battle between the executive and legislative branches of Ohio’s government.

The Secretary of State also refused to fight a lawsuit that seeks to overturn recently-enacted legislation that places limits on campaign contributions to elected public officials who approve state government contracts.

Profile

Richard Cordray - Ohio Attorney General

For Democrat Richard Cordray, perseverance in the pursuit of statewide office produced results in 2006 when he defeated Republican Ashtabula County Auditor Sandra O’Brien by a margin of 58 to 42 percent in the race for State Treasurer. Cordray had been the Treasurer of Franklin County, one of Ohio’s largest metropolitan counties, since 2002. He had previously served as State Solicitor from 1993-94 and as a member of Ohio House of Representatives from 1991-93. Cordray had also unsuccessfully sought the offices of U.S. Senator, and the 15th Congressional District.

As Treasurer, he proposed selling unused and underused state properties to generate additional state revenue. Cordray also turned in his state-owned official vehicle and said he would use his personal vehicle or a vehicle from the state motor pool if the need arises. He also put safeguards in place to guarantee that public money invested by the state does not end up supporting terrorism or terrorist groups. Cordray conducted an ongoing review of new and existing investments in Ohio’s $12 billion investment portfolio to ensure it meets federal requirements banning business with terrorist organizations, state sponsors of terrorism or individuals known to have ties with terrorists.

While serving as Ohio's Attorney General, Cordray promises to continue to stand up for Ohioans and clean up scandals in state government.  Cordray wants to continue to strengthen management of the office and pursue mortgage-fraud investigations. As Attorney General, Cordray will focus on protecting the financial security of Ohioans.

Profile

Kevin Boyce - Ohio Treasurer

On December 23, 2008, Governor Strickland appointed Democrat Kevin Boyce to serve as the Treasurer of the state of Ohio. The position became vacant when Treasurer Richard Cordray was elected to the office of the Attorney General in November 2008.

“As treasurer, I will wisely and strategically invest our state funds to ensure good returns and, in turn, help strengthen our communities and businesses,' Boyce said. “I will operate the treasurer’s office with the highest standards of integrity and bring the smartest minds together to meet the financial challenges before us.”

Prior to his appointment as Treasurer of the state of Ohio, Boyce served as the youth-program coordinator for the city of Toledo, a legislative aide for former state representative Jack Ford, executive director for the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, and chief of staff of the Democratic caucus in the Ohio House of Representatives. In 2000, he was appointed to the Columbus City Council. He served on the council’s Finance Committee and Zoning Committee.

Although some Republican leaders expressed their concern of Boyce’s lack of statewide experience, Governor Strickland supported his appointee.

“As state treasurer, Kevin will provide effective and experienced management over our state dollars and also help give Ohioans the financial literacy they need to deal with these challenging economic times,” Strickland said.

Boyce has stated that he plans to run for a full four-year term in the 2010 General Elections.

Profile

Mary Taylor, C.P.A. -  Ohio Auditor

With the loss of every other non-judicial statewide race in Ohio by Republicans in 2006, Mary Taylor became the highest-ranking member of her party in the state. A member of the Ohio House of Representatives from Summit County at the time her election, Taylor made her professional qualifications as a Certified Public Accountant a centerpiece of her campaign. She defeated another State Representative, Barbara Sykes, by a margin of 50.6 to 49.4 percent.

Prior to serving in the state legislature for two terms, Taylor served as a member of City Council in Green, Ohio and worked for the accounting firms Deloitte and Touche, and Bober Markey Fedorovich & Company. She says that 16 years as a CPA showed her that Ohio’s tax system was killing jobs and was in need of reform.

During her campaign, Taylor stressed her belief that the State of Ohio needs fiscal discipline. She lists comprehensive tax reform, legislation to put an end to junk lawsuits that force good jobs out of Ohio, and her sponsorship of the Taxpayer Protection Amendment, which ensures that state government doesn’t over-spend the dollars that Ohio families work so hard to earn, as among her legislative accomplishments.

Taylor is proposing the creation of a state audit committee to improve accountability and oversight of state investments. She suggests having the internal auditors at state agencies file their reports with a committee composed of the state budget director and four other individuals with expertise in finance and accounting standards appointed by the legislature.

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