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Ohio State Auditor Abandons Gubernatorial Bid, Throws Hat into Attorney General Ring

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

State Auditor Betty Montgomery withdrew her bid for the Ohio governor's seat, citing her need to run a negative and divisive campaign, instead opting to pursue the Republican nomination for attorney general. Her decision comes on the heels of a highly contentious rare-coin investment scandal involving GOP contributor Tom Noe and the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Montgomery, who served as attorney general from 1994 to 1998, has been accused of failing to address the scandal during her tenure, a charge she vehemently denies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Montgomery has entered a crowded four-candidate field in the Republican primary for attorney general, where she will face off against Tim Grendell, Ron O'Brien, and an expected Democratic challenger.
  • As attorney general, Montgomery vowed to use her "investigative horsepower and legal horsepower" to prosecute the scandal and release the results of a special audit of the coin funds.
  • Montgomery returned $8,150 in contributions from Tom Noe and his wife, claiming she had no knowledge of the source of the funds.
  • The auditor's decision to seek the attorney general nomination has set off a frenzy of attacks from both parties, with some accusing her of integrity and loyalty issues.
  • The Ohio governor's primary is now wide open, with Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell and Attorney General Jim Petro emerging as frontrunners.
  • Montgomery has been endorsed by Petro, who initially supported O'Brien but has now thrown his weight behind the auditor's attorney general campaign.

Statistics:

  • $8,150: The amount of contributions returned by Montgomery from Tom Noe and his wife.
  • $215 million: The amount of money lost by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation in the rare-coin investment scandal.
  • 1994: The year Montgomery was first elected attorney general.
  • 1994-1998: The period during which Montgomery served as attorney general and auditor.
  • 4 years: The length of time Montgomery has been out of office as attorney general due to term limits.

Sources:

  • "Ohio State Auditor Abandons Gubernatorial Bid, Throws Hat into Attorney General Ring" - The Blade, January 25, 2006.

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