Kasich names Taylor as Lt. Gov. Candidate

Columbus, Ohio - Today, Ohio gubernatorial candidate John Kasich named Ohio State Auditor Mary Taylor as his selection for Lieutenant Governor.

Read Chairman DeWine's statement on Kasich's selection of Taylor

At a press conference in Columbus, Auditor Taylor accepted the invitation. "For the past three years, I have worked to protect Ohio taxpayers from wasteful spending and to instill accountability in state government," said Taylor. "In this economy, Ohioans deserve to know that their scarce dollars are spent wisely and efficiently.

"Despite my repeated warnings about a looming, multi-billion dollar budget hole, and the dangers of over-relying on one-time state and federal stimulus money, I was ignored. For the past three years, I've served the role of government watchdog; once elected Lieutenant Governor, I will assume the role of an agent of change, capable of implementing transformative policies to improve the lives of Ohioans."

"John and I will use our experiences and our accomplishments to form a leadership team whose goal is to reset government as we know it."

Said Kasich, "Mary Taylor is among the most qualified candidates Ohio has ever seen, and she is the obvious choice to serve as Lieutenant Governor. Equally important, she is fully prepared to serve as Governor of the great State of Ohio.

"Mary will be an integral part of what I want to do to create jobs in this state and restore prosperity to Ohioans. She understands that job creation, long-term financial stability and economic prosperity will never return to Ohio until state government is modernized, and until our massive fiscal crises are dealt with honestly.

"Mary shares my belief that the budget is but a symptom - not the cause - of Ohio's economic misery. The problem is a state government that punishes success, impedes economic growth, and drives our best and brightest workers to other states.

Mary will be a full partner in this movement to save Ohio. By resetting the size and scope of state government amid our current economic realities, Mary will help create the space needed for me to bring stable, high-paying jobs to Ohio and make Ohio a state where employers will want to locate, and our families will want to stay."