Ohio Governor Throws Support Behind Cordray for AG

CHICAGO — Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland yesterday gave his endorsement to Treasurer Richard Cordray to run for attorney general this fall.

In a press conference on the steps to the Ohio statehouse, Strickland said Cordray would help restore public trust in the post. The office became open last month when Marc Dann resigned after admitting to an affair with a younger female staffer. The admission was one of a few scandals swirling around the top lawyer's office at the time.

As treasurer, Cordray has administered much of the state's borrowing since he was elected in 2007. He came up with the idea for the state's $5.5 billion tobacco bond issue that sold last October the single largest tobacco bond sale ever helping to craft, market, and sell the issue within just a few months. As treasurer he has also encouraged local investors to buy Ohio's bonds in a series of statewide tours promoting highway bonds.

"Rich Cordray is a public servant in the best sense of the word," said Strickland at yesterday's press conference. "He will be the kind of attorney general that Ohioans can be proud of."

Cordray, 49, lost an earlier attempt at the office, when he was defeated by Republican Betty Montgomery in 1998. He was treasurer of Franklin County for five years prior to his election to the state post. He started his legal career at Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue.

State Democrats have scheduled a meeting for June 21 at which they are expected to nominate Cordray as the candidate. Republicans will pick their candidate the same day.

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