Richard Cordray continues getting endorsements from some of Ohio's most well-known Democrats. The latest endorsement comes from Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther.
“I’m endorsing Rich Cordray for governor because he has a real record of fighting — and winning — for Ohio families,” Ginther is quoted as saying, in a press release from Cordray’s campaign.
Cordray, a former Ohio Attorney General and the first director of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has picked up several endorsements in recent weeks. Among those nods are three of his former opponents: former U.S. Rep. (and now his running mate) Betty Sutton, former state Rep. Connie Pillich, and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.
Cordray also received the endorsement of Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley in January.
Cordray was a late entry into the race. He declared his candidacy on December 5 at a diner in his hometown of Grove City, after stepping down from the CFPB. He was prohibited from running for governor while working as a federal employee.
The press release says Cordray “will stand with (Columbus) as we tackle the opiate crisis and advocate for common sense laws to stem the tide of gun violence.”
As attorney general, Cordray defended a state law that bans cities from adopting laws that go beyond state gun regulations. On Wednesday, Ginther wrote a letter to Gov. John Kasich asking him to work to restore home rule for cities that want to adopt tougher gun laws.
Cordray remains locked in a crowded Democratic primary that includes former Congressman Dennis Kucinich, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill, state Sen. Jo Schiavoni, Larry Ealy, and Paul Ray. Jon Heavey, another potential candidate, is challenging the Ohio Supreme Court after his paperwork was rejected.
On the Republican side, the only remaining candidates are Attorney General Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.
