Former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau leader Richard Cordray has announced he will run for governor of Ohio. Cordray, who was previously Ohio state attorney general and state treasurer, said that he has the support of President Barack Obama and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Cordray resigned from his role at the CFPB a few weeks ago, setting off a dispute about the fate of the agency’s leadership. Trump administration officials have taken over the agency, prompting concern about whether it will ultimately survive in the same form.
Cordray will be running against current Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. Cordray lost to DeWine, a Republican, in a 2010 race for attorney general. Last week, DeWine named Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted as his running mate. Democrats are hoping that Cordray will bring name recognition to their ticket.
Other Democrats have also announced they are running including Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill. Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, a Republican is also running.
The winner will replace Governor John Kasich, who is term-limited.