Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, a Republican candidate for governor in 2018, is stepping down as director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Taylor, who has held the post since January 2011 when the Kasich administration took office, will be replaced by Jillian E. Froment, who has served as deputy director since 2011. Taylor will continue to serve as lieutenant governor.
Taylor, who announced she’s running for governor in February, has been in state politics for more than a decade as a lawmaker, Ohio auditor and lieutenant governor.
On the GOP side, Taylor and Congressman Jim Renacci of Wadsworth are the only declared candidates for governor but Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted are expected to join the race soon.
Related: Renacci jumps into governor's race
On the Democrat side, former Congresswoman Betty Sutton of Akron, former state Rep. Connie Pillich of Cincinnati and Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman are running. Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley has said she is considering running for governor. Records show “WhaleyforOhio.com” has been anonymously registered.
Related: Dayton mayor considering a run for governor
Whaley, DeWine and Husted each have deep ties to the Miami Valley.
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