Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill announced Sunday that he’ll be stepping down from the bench to run for Governor in February – 11 months before the end of his term.
O'Neill turns 70 next year and is ineligible to run for another term on the court.
Speaking in front of about 60 people at Chagrin Falls Township Hall on Sunday, O'Neill said his vision for Ohio includes increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, and giving credits for installing solar panels.
O’Neill also wants to slash tuition at state colleges, pointing to Youngstown State for an example of how to bring costs down.
“About a year ago, President Tressel turned down a pay raise,” O’Neill said. “I think we have to look at the administrative costs and I think we also have to look at why is the Ohio Assembly not making state universities a priority? They should be a priority; they’re the future of our state.”
O’Neill joins a crowded field with four other Democrats – Joe Schiavoni, Betty Sutton, Connie Pillich, and Nan Whaley – already seeking the nomination. But he says he will leave the race if Richard Cordray – the current head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and former Ohio Attorney General – decides to run.
There are also four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination: Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Jon Husted, Rep. Jim Renacci, and Lt. Governor Mary Taylor.
