( Cincinnati, OH ) - It was one of the worst kept secrets in Ohio, but Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley made it official Tuesday morning. He announced that he will be running for governor next year.
“I’m running for governor because Ohio is in desperate need of a comeback,” said John Cranley. “I am the only candidate running with a detailed plan to bring our state back. Talk is cheap. If I don’t get it done in my first term, I won’t run again."
Cranley made his announcement in a video posted on social media. The video highlighted his accomplishments in Cincinnati and also outlined his Ohio Comeback Plan - an Alaska-style natural gas dividend; a guarantee of 30,000 jobs per year that pay at least $60,000 annually; and legalizing marijuana to help fund it.
"I know a comeback is possible because we’ve done it in Cincinnati," Cranley said in a statement. "After decades of decline our city is growing again, with thousands of more jobs created. We can do the same for Ohio, but it will take leadership with guts, grit and the courage to propose and implement big ideas.”
John Cranley joins Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley in the race. The two will square off in the Ohio Democratic primary next March. Ohio Governor Mike Dewine is running for re-election in 2022. He's facing a primary challenge from former U.S. Representative Jim Renacci.