Jon Husted Announces Ohio Gubernatorial Campaign

COLUMBUS, OH - Secretary of State Jon Husted is running to be Ohio's next governor. He announced his bid for the soon-to-be vacant seat over the weekend on social media. He is the second Ohio Republican to announce their gubernatorial intentions.

Husted posted a video to YouTube on Saturday broadcasting himself as a candidate to replace the departing John Kasich. In the video he makes it clear what themes Ohioans can expect from his campaign.

"As Barack Obama said, 'Folks here cling to our religion and our guns," he said in the video. "And there's no doubt my family would firmly fit in Hilary Clinton's basket of deplorables. And we're proud of it."

Husted discusses his background as the son of a factory worker in Montpellier. He also talks about fighting for gun rights, tax cuts, and reducing the bureaucracy in the state government.

You can see Husted's full announcement video at the bottom of this article.

The Republican field to replace Governor Kasich, who is term limited in 2018, is growing crowded. Husted joins Representative Jim Renacci, R-16, who declared his intention to claim the seat in late March. State Attorney General Mike DeWine is expected to declare his candidacy soon. And Kasich's number two, Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor has filed the paperwork to make her run official.

Democratic contenders include Ohio Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni, from the Youngstown area, Former Representative Betty Sutton, and former State Representative Connie Pillitch. Some outlets believe Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Richard Cordray, and former Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams may also throw their respective hats in the ring to replace Kasich.

You can see Husted's campaign announcement below.

Photo from YouTube Screen Capture