Statement from the Ohio Senate Republican Leadership Team on the 5th Anniversary of Ted Strickland’s Campaign Kickoff for Governor of Ohio

All of the following may be attributed, either jointly or collectively, to the leadership team of the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus, including Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland), President Pro Tempore Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), Majority Floor Leader Keith Faber (R-Celina) and Majority Whip Steve Buehrer (R-Delta):

“It was five years ago that Ted Strickland kicked off his campaign to ‘Turnaround Ohio’ with more and better jobs. He said he’d be a ‘failed Governor’ if he did not fix school funding. He pledged to ‘lead by example when it comes to restoring public trust in government.’ By all his own benchmarks, the Administration of Ted Strickland has fallen short and broken promises.

“Since the Governor took office, Ohio’s unemployment rate has more than doubled, 427,300 jobs have been lost, companies have left Ohio and poverty is on the rise. Ohio schools have been saddled with more mandates and less funding. And the highest priority for the Strickland Administration seems to be cover-up and avoiding political embarrassment for the Governor at all costs.

“With Governor Strickland at the helm of state government, Ohio has relied upon temporary patches and federal bailouts. As a result, the state is facing an estimated $8 billion biennial shortfall. ‘Strickland math,’ and revenue gimmicks aren’t going to work in the next budget. And the Governor’s current strategy of begging the federal government for more money is NOT a long-term fiscal strategy for the state.

“We need bold leadership in the Governor’s office, someone who has a proven record of making tough decisions and cutting through bureaucracy and someone who can bring businesses and jobs back to Ohio. That’s John Kasich.

“We are confident that six months from now, Ohioans will see through the political spin and baseless attacks from Strickland’s campaign, and will overwhelmingly elect John Kasich and Mary Taylor as Ohio’s next Governor and Lt. Governor.”