COLUMBUS —The 2018 field for Ohio governor just became a bit more crowded as a former Cincinnati area state representative announced her bid today.
Former state Rep. Connie Pillich experienced success as a Democrat running in a Republican-leaning suburban district, but she was unable to translate that into statewide success in 2014 when she challenged Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel.
"We as Democrats have got to reclaim our status as patriots,” Ms. Pillich, an attorney and former U.S. Air Force captain, said in a campaign video released today. The video was recorded on Jan. 21 during the Cincinnati Women’s March.
“We cannot be afraid to stand up for our values,” she said. “We believe individual liberty and shared responsibility lead to equal opportunity. We need new, progressive, and unflinching leadership to improve our schools, rebuild our infrastructure, bring back industry and the jobs that can support a family."
Ms. Pillich was elected to the Ohio House for the first time in 2009 and continued to win the district even after it leaned even more Republican after the 2011 redistricting. She gave up a shot at a fourth two-year term in the Ohio House in 2014 to run for treasurer.
Born in Buffalo as the youngest of five children, Ms. Pillich grew up in a working class steel town. She joined the ROTC at the age of 17 to pay for her education at the University of Oklahoma. After graduating, she served eight years in the Air Force, stationed in Mississippi, N.D., where she received a master’s in business administration.
She went to work as an ROTC instructor and recruiter at the University of Cincinnati where she earned her law degree in 1998. She noted the legal practice that followed included some banking law.
"I learned in the Air Force that no matter what the challenge, if you work together and face it head on, you can make a difference," Ms. Pillich said. "Too many in Ohio are hurting. Our strained communities are looking for new leaders willing to stand for something larger than themselves."
She serviced in Berlin during the Cold War. Among other things, she championed veterans issues while in the Ohio House.
Ms. Pillich joins a field of candidates hoping to replace Republican Gov. John Kasich that also includes state Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D., Boardman) and Akron area former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton.
Also considered a possibility is Richard Cordray, the former Ohio attorney general and treasurer whose future as President Obama’s top federal consumer watchdog is now in doubt under President Trump.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill, the only Democrat now holding statewide office, has said he’s also considering a run.
On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor has Mr. Kasich's backing in her bid. Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted are also considered likely candidates. U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, of Wadsworth, is also considering a run.
First Published March 13, 2017, 1:31 p.m.
