The Latest: APNewsBreak: Sutton to be Cordray running mate
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Latest on the race for Ohio governor (all times local):
2:10 p.m.
Former federal consumer watchdog Richard Cordray is joining forces with former congresswoman and Obama-era official Betty Sutton in the Ohio governor's race as Democrats position to win back the key battleground state in November.
A Democrat close to Cordray's campaign for governor tells The Associated Press the decision on Sutton as his running mate will be announced Wednesday. The person requested anonymity because the information hadn't been made public.
Cordray and Sutton served under President Barack Obama and are expected to draw big-name Democratic support to the campaign trail.
Republicans Mike DeWine and Jon Husted (HYOO'-sted) merged their gubernatorial campaigns Nov. 30 to consolidate support and financial resources for what's expected to be a bruising national fight.
Four other Democrats and two other Republicans are running to succeed GOP Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik), who's term-limited.
Sutton is from northeast Ohio. She was a three-term congresswoman and Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation administrator.
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12:30 p.m.
A spokesman for former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (koo-SIH'-nich) says the Democrat plans to provide more details on whether he plans to run for Ohio governor "over the next several days."
The 71-year-old former congressman and Cleveland mayor designated a campaign treasurer in papers filed Monday, the first step to a potential run.
Spokesman Andy Juniewicz said in a statement Tuesday that the filing "was not a formal declaration of candidacy." He noted Kucinich has not made an official announcement nor filed nominating petitions.
Should he run, Kucinich would join a crowded Democratic field that includes former federal consumer watchdog Richard Cordray.
Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) is term-limited and unable to seek re-election.
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9:40 a.m.
Democrat William O'Neill has picked a Cleveland educator as his running mate in the race for Ohio governor.
Chantelle E. Lewis, of East Cleveland, is a former city council member and school board member, a one-time Cleveland schools teacher and a current elementary school principal in Lorain County.
O'Neill caused a national stir in November when he volunteered candid details of his sexual past on Facebook in an attempt to take a swipe at the "media frenzy" over sexual misconduct. He later apologized.
The 70-year-old retiring Supreme Court Justice, military veteran and nurse on Tuesday called the addition of Lewis to his ticket "a dream come true." He said the 42-year-old, who is black, brings a diversity and experience to his team that will resonate with Democratic voters.