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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > January > 25 > Entry
Yost launches auditor campaign; says Morgan not “viable”
Republican Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost on Monday, Jan. 25, launched his campaign for state auditor after nearly a year of campaigning for attorney general.
His candidacy sets up a possible GOP primary with state Rep. Seth Morgan, R-Huber Heights. Yost said Morgan was not “viable” because he would not have time to set up an effective campaign before the November election.
Yost also declined to endorse former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine of Cedarville for attorney general. Yost had been running against DeWine for the GOP nomination for AG.
“To the people of this state, I pledge to you that every tax dollar sent to Columbus will be spent for a public purpose, and according to law - and I shall take decisive action whenever it is not,” Yost said at state Republican headquarters in Columbus.
Yost entered the auditor’s race at the request of state Republican Chairman Kevin DeWine of Fairborn, Mike DeWine’s second cousin.
Jason Mauk, Ohio Republican Party executive director, said he expects Yost to get the state party’s endorsement. Mauk also said that the state party committee would likely not endorse Mike DeWine for AG at a special meeting where it will discuss the auditor’s race. The committee “could very well” endorse Mike DeWine at a regularly scheduled meeting in April, when it has agreed to reconsider the AG race, said Mauk.
Earlier, this post incorrectly quoted Mauk as saying the state party would not endorse Mike DeWine. Mauk said a Mike DeWine endorsement probably would not come at the special meeting but could come at the regular meeting in April.
Morgan, a certified public accountant, is staying in the race, said Rob Scott, Morgan’s spokesman.
“Seth Morgan has enormous statewide support from many Republicans, conservative grassroots organizations, regular citizens and businesses,” Scott said in a prepared statement.
“Instead of backroom political deals, the next Ohio auditor will be selected by the citizens of Ohio and we look forward to that process.”
Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper is the Democratic candidate for auditor.
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Comments
By Quentin Abbot
January 26, 2010 10:38 AM | Link to this
I, too, saw Dave Yost at the Donatos in Xenia. I remember how he praised Seth Morgan for challenging Gov. Strickland to provide evidence that Strickland had improved education in Ohio during his first term. When Strickland didn’t provide the records, Yost praised Seth Morgan for going to the Supreme Court to assert that Strickland was law-bound to provide the evidence and the Supreme Court agreed. Now, he isn’t worthy to be state auditor. Interesting. I also recall how Yost wanted to de-politicize the AG office and wanted to be Kasich’s AG. Instead, all that changed after a little phone call from Kevin DeWine and the GOP bullies.
By Brad Bieghler
January 26, 2010 10:19 AM | Link to this
The ORP just doesn’t get it. The Republicans are still trying to recover from the ineptness of the Taft era; now they have some fresh conservative blood to challenge with and they revert to ineptness. We needed Yost to beat DeWine for AG and Morgan to challenge for Auditor. Additionally, I saw Yost in Xenia a couple of weeks ago and Seth Morgan introduced him to the crowd. Yost had nothing but praise for Morgan then. Now he’s not “viable”? Mr. Yost, you just lost my vote.
By Rino Hunter
January 26, 2010 9:38 AM | Link to this
Rumor today is Kevin DeWine is “suspending the ORP rules” by not allowing a vote by the State central committee so he alone can make the endorsements for Yost and DeWine. This is very disturbing since DeWine was hand raised by Bob Bennett who is still using Kevin as a sock puppet. I have stopped donating to the ORP and will not vote for Yost or DeWine
By had enough
January 26, 2010 12:29 AM | Link to this
Ohio we are looking for the best qualifications for State Auditor! We elected the 1st certified CPA in Ohio’s history! Why on earth would we back track from those highest standards? Regardless of party!Seth Morgan is the only candidate that has MBA Certified CPA, hello common sense Morgan is right for the job! I’m sick of the GOP and it’s higher than thou elitism! Yost you are the typical politician- you’ve been vying for AG for a year, whining for LG along the while and now you expect Ohio to take you serious for Auditor, get for real! Sick of these phonies- you’re fired!
By Concerned
January 25, 2010 10:12 PM | Link to this
While Mike DeWine is a nice gentleman, I would encourage Dave Yost to continue to run for State AG instead of Auditor. I believe Mr. DeWine to be too weak on illegal immigration based upon his alignment with John McCain in the Senate. I agree that Seth Morgan should continue his pursuit of the office of State Auditor in the primary. Kevin DeWine needs to rethink his strategy if he wants support from Conservatives!
By Mike
January 25, 2010 8:05 PM | Link to this
This is just an underhanded maneuver by state Republican Chairman, Kevin Dewine, to help his cousin Mike Dewine get elected by eliminating his competition. I’m a Republican and I find this disgraceful! Seth Morgan is young, energetic and refreshing! Yost should continue his pursuit of the attorney general office. Mike Dewine had his change, now we need fresh blood and ideas!