The man who leads Democrats in the Ohio Senate has announced a run for governor. Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni, of Boardman, is the first of his party's potentially crowded field to make a 2018 gubernatorial bid official.
Schiavoni says Republicans have done too little to attract high-paying jobs, bolster public education and address Ohio's heroin epidemic.
His announcement Wednesday came after a fellow Youngstown-area Democrat, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, decided not to run for governor.
Schiavoni says his bid shouldn't be a surprise. He's been traveling the state, building name recognition and support for months.
He's a workers' compensation lawyer who's represented the 33rd Senate District since 2008, first by appointment, then by election.
Schiavoni has led Senate Democrats since 2013. They hold 9 of 33 Senate seats.
