The Akron area may be well-represented in the 2018 Ohio governor’s race … or maybe not.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, announced Tuesday that he won’t run and will instead stay in Congress. Former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, however, is still mulling a gubernatorial bid.
Ryan and Sutton, who recently resigned her position with the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp., are among numerous prominent Democrats considering entering into the crowded contest to replace Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who can’t run again because of term limits.
Ryan’s district includes part of Summit County. Sutton, who now lives in Copley Township, originally hails from Barberton and served in the Ohio House of Representatives before being elected to Congress.
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Wadsworth, who beat Sutton in 2012 after a redrawing of district lines lumped the two of them into the same district, is among several high-profile GOP politicians reportedly considering a run for governor. And, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, who lives in Green, recently formed a gubernatorial campaign committee.
Ryan announced his decision not to run in an emailed statement Tuesday afternoon.
“While I have been truly humbled by the encouragement I’ve received to run for governor of Ohio, I believe the best way to serve my community, my state and my country is to remain in the United States Congress,” he said in the email.
Ryan pledged to work to help elect Democrats next year and “upend the disastrous Republican one-party rule in Ohio.”
Sutton sent out a response after Ryan’s announcement, saying she enjoyed working with him in Congress and “it is heartening to know that working families will continue to have a strong and effective champion fighting for us in Congress.”
“I am giving serious thought to a run for governor and will have an announcement next week,” added Sutton, who considered a gubernatorial bid in 2013, but decided against it.
Sutton was appointed in July 2013 by former President Barack Obama to serve as administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp, which is in charge of constructing, operating and maintaining the St. Lawrence Seaway between the Port of Montreal and Lake Erie and encourages the development of trade throughout the Great Lakes region. She stepped down from the post after President Donald Trump took office.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @swarsmithabj and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/swarsmith.