Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has officially endorsed his longtime friend, Richard Cordray, for governor.
The two Democrats met for a brief news conference Thursday on one of Toledo’s pothole-riddled residential streets to talk about why they believe Mr. Cordray would be a good governor for Toledoans.
“Richard Cordray represents change. He represents fresh ideas. He is a leader that can improve our state and help save our cities,” Mr. Kapszukiewicz said. “He has long been my friend, and I hope that next year he is the governor of Ohio so that he can be Toledo’s friend.”
.@ElectWade officially endorsed @RichCordray for Ohio Governor today. Said he’s a longtime personal friend, and Toledoans need a friend in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/0DGcQrAduz
— Sarah Elms (@BySarahElms) April 26, 2018
Mr. Kapszukiewicz joined 20 other mayors in announcing his endorsement Thursday, bringing the total to 32 mayors who have endorsed Mr. Cordray’s bid for governor, his office said.
Mr. Cordray, the former director of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, will face five other Democrats in the May 8 primary election: Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D., Boardman), former Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill, former Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich, frequent Dayton candidate Larry E. Ealy, and Alliance political newcomer Paul E. Ray.
The party’s nominee will be up against either Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine or Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor on the Republican side.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz said Mr. Cordray would fight for infrastructure improvements for Ohio cities and stand up for the health of Lake Erie, issues he oft accuses current state politicians ignoring.
“Because of cuts that have been made by the state of Ohio, Toledo and other big cities in our state — other cities of all sizes, frankly — have suffered and have very real infrastructure challenges that, frankly, are not only not being addressed by the leadership in Columbus but are being ignored,” Mr. Kapszukiewicz said.
Mr. Cordray thanked the mayor for his endorsement and said he and running mate, former Akron area U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, have a track record of standing up for Ohioans.
He said Columbus now views local governments as “piggy banks,” taking away local dollars to balance the state budget, and he wants to change that.
“It has come at the expense of our local communities who have fewer cops on the street, who have less resources to combat the opioid crisis, who have less money for our public schools,” he said. “That’s who has felt the brunt. What we need is to have leadership in Columbus who will partner with local government.”
Contact Sarah Elms at selms@theblade.com, 419-724-6103, or on Twitter @BySarahElms.
First Published April 26, 2018, 6:03 p.m.