by Marc Kovac
Capital Bureau Chief
A lawmaker from the Dayton area is the first Republican to enter the race for state auditor.
First-term Rep. Seth Morgan, a certified public accountant, made his announcement during a press conference at the Statehouse Jan. 21.
"We're excited about the race," Morgan said. "If people decide to join in the race, I'm willing to make the case for why I'm the best member of the GOP to carry the auditor's position on the ticket and then move on to taking on David Pepper and his lack of qualifications for this job."
If successful in the May primary, Morgan would face expected Democratic challenger Pepper, a county commissioner from southwestern Ohio who announced his candidacy last May. The Cincinnati native served as a Cincinnati city councilman before winning election as a Hamilton County commissioner.
Prior to being elected state representative, Morgan served as a Huber Heights city councilman.
He also heads a private accounting firm that services small and medium-sized businesses and organizations.
Since being elected representative, Morgan has served as chairman of the Republican caucus' policy committee and has been an outspoken critic of Strickland -- particularly the governor's education reforms.
"As policy chairman, we have been diligent in providing alternatives to the Democrat majority's proposals," he said. "... We've been very forthright about having real solutions for Ohio's toughest challenges."
Incumbent Auditor Mary Taylor, the lone Republican holding statewide office, announced earlier this month that she would be John Kasich's running mate against Gov. Ted Strickland and his lieutenant governor choice, Yvette McGee Brown, a former Columbus-area judge.
Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau Chief. E-mail him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at Ohio Capital Blog.