I am excited to announce my candidacy for Governor of the State of Ohio.
— Sen Joe Schiavoni (@JoeSchiavoni) March 1, 2017
We need a new generation of leadership to move our state forward. pic.twitter.com/pbPHdU4rJo
In 2013, Schiavoni was unanimously elected as the Democratic Leader of the Senate.
In 2008, the Democrat was appointed to a vacant seat in the Ohio Senate, and was elected to a full, four-year term for his Senate seat in 2010, according to his online biography.
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Schiavoni, announcement comes days after U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Youngstown, announced he was not running.
One of Schiavoni’s possible Democratic primary challengers is Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.
In February, she said she was interested in running.
"I am considering a run for governor but my primary focus now is running for mayor. I love being mayor of Dayton," Whaley said.
Other Democrats rumored to be considering a run include former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton of the Akron area, former Ohio Attorney General Rich Cordray, and former state Rep. Connie Pillich
RELATED: Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley ‘considering’ run for governor
Crowded field on the Republican side
Republican Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor signaled on last week that she wants the top job when she filed paperwork for a new campaign committee titled: “Mary Taylor for Governor.”
RELATED: Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor signals she’s running
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has not formally announced he is running for governor, but he let it slip in May of last year that he is planning to run.
Secretary of State Jon Husted said he plans to make a decision soon on a 2018 run.
RELATED: Mike DeWine confirms run for governor
RELATED: Husted sayd ‘final decision’ will be made within months