Stalled civil rights and payday lending reform await word from Ohio…

State Rep. Nickie Antonio, a Lakewood Democrat, has said that support from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce has given new momentum to her Ohio House Bill 160 that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender idenity in Ohio. The U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell decision protected a person's right to enter into a same-sex marriage.

Source: Pillich to leave governora s race, back Cordray

Ohio Democrats' lone female gubernatorial candidate will leave the race Wednesday to back rival Richard Cordray, as the former federal consumer watchdog positions for his hoped-for bid against Republican Mike DeWine, a source said. A Democrat close to Cordray's campaign told The Associated Press that former state Rep. Connie Pillich will drop out and endorse Cordray at an event the campaign announced Tuesday.

PAC endorses Connie Pillich for Ohio governor

A political action committee dedicated to electing Democratic women on Tuesday endorsed Connie Pillich, the lone female remaining in the Democratic May primary for governor. Backing from EMILY's List could help boost Pillich, a former Air Force captain and ex-state lawmaker, in a five-way primary that includes former federal consumer watchdog Richard Cordray and former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

Cordray choosing ex-Rep. Betty Sutton as running mate

Two Barack Obama alumni will form a gubernatorial ticket Wednesday as Richard Cordray chooses Betty Sutton as his running mate, a source close to the Democrat's campaign confirmed. Cordray was tabbed by Obama as the first head of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a post he left in November to run for governor.

Cordray Says Jobs, Local Government Will Be the Focus of His Campaign for Governor

Former federal watchdog Richard Cordray addressed the City Club of Cleveland on Thursday to outline his priorities as he seeks the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor. The former head of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau returned to Ohio on Thursday to discuss his bid for governor.

Democrat Richard Cordray to join crowded governor’s race

In this March 26, 2015, file photo, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray speaks during a panel discussion in Richmond, Va. Cordray, the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tendered his resignation Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, and simultaneously named his own successor, setting up the consumer agency for another battle with the Trump White House over control of the powerful federal watchdog.

Ohio Senator Joe Schiavoni Announces Job Growth Plan For Ohio

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni announced a comprehensive plan to increase job growth and employment through targeted investments Tuesday. This legislative package is the latest in a series of bills the senator has introduced to improve Ohio's small business climate and bolster job growth, a release from Schiavoni's office said.

Cordray’s conundrum: Quit now and run for Ohio governor, or wait to be fired? Updated at

Even as Richard Cordray declines to say a word publicly on whether he will run for governor of Ohio, a number of Democrats are increasingly convinced that the head of the federal consumer bureau will compete for next year's Democratic nomination. Although Ohio Democratic hopes may be based on wishful thinking instead of direct knowledge, insiders believe that as a former state attorney general, Cordray would quickly become both the favorite to win the Democratic nomination and be a strong candidate against the eventual Republican nominee.

GOP candidate for governor stops in Marietta

JANELLE PATTERSON The Marietta Times Ohio Gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, of Wadsworth, center, speaks to members of Marietta Noon Rotary Thursday. The Republican candidate, 58, of Wadsworth, near Akron, spoke with local pastors and representatives of Buckeye Hills Regional Council, made an appearance at the Marietta Noon Rotary Club meeting, toured Broughton Commercial Properties and held a commercial roundtable at Artex Oil before closing out the local visit with a meet and greet at Freedom Gate Church with local Republican party members.

AP analysis finds partisan map-making advantage in Ohio

In this March 6, 2012, file photo, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, left, with his wife Elizabeth Kucinich, right, addresses supporters on primary election night at Rubin's Restaurant and Deli in Cleveland. A political mapmaking process controlled by Ohio Republicans resulted in the party winning nearly two more U.S. House seats and five more Ohio House seats in the last election than would have been expected in neutral circumstances, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

Jim Renacci staffs his 2018 gubernatorial team with Ohio Trump campaign veterans

U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, who has worked to position himself as the most Trump-esque of the 2018 slate of GOP candidates for governor, is following in the president's footsteps when it comes to staffing his campaign, too. Renacci's campaign team has hired a slew of operatives who worked last year on Donald Trump's coordinated campaign.

Whaley Wants To Revive Partnership Between State Of Ohio And Its Families And Communities

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley is running for governor in Ohio in 2018 with a focus on bringing back partnerships between the state of Ohio and its cities and families. Whaley, a Democrat, was elected mayor of Dayton in 2013 and before that served on the Dayton City Commission.

Former US Rep Betty Sutton to make ’18 bid for Ohio governor

Former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton planned to jump into the 2018 governor's race Tuesday, bringing a solid track record of election wins and fundraising that could position her as the initial Democratic front-runner. The 53-year-old lawyer from Barberton served three terms in Congress and eight years in the state Legislature, where she was the youngest woman ever elected at age 29. She also served on her local city and county councils.

Contenders crowd potential 2018 political field in Ohio

For Republicans, that means working to avert a collision in 2018 among three high-profile gubernatorial hopefuls. For out-of-power Democrats, the challenge is to find any available candidate with the political clout and statewide name recognition to win the governor's race.