Ohio Lieutenant Gov. Mary Taylor is running for governor, officially launching her campaign with a speech in Cleveland on Friday.
Taylor outlined her platform in broad strokes, focusing mostly on jobs, education and the opioid epidemic. Taylor also said Ohio's next governor needs to have “a good working relationship” with the Trump administration.
“You need to have open lines of communication, so you can be communicating the challenges we face and the solutions that they can be a part of,” Taylor said. “And you also need to tell them to get out of the way when they need to get out of the way.”
Gov. John Kasich did not endorse Trump during last year’s election and has been a vocal critic of the president. Kasich has said in the past he would support Taylor in the governor’s race.
Taylor also said she would promote job growth to combat “multigenerational poverty” that exists throughout the state.
“We're not just talking about African-American, racially-ethnic inner city, we're talking about Southeast Ohio,” Taylor said. “We need to reach out to these individuals, give them the skills and education they need to get a job.”
Taylor joins a Republican field that includes Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, Attorney General Mike DeWine and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci. The Republican primary is in May.