Two-term Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley has officially announced he's running to be governor of Ohio.
Cranley, 47, has been exploring a bid for the Democratic nomination for months and had raised over $1.3 million for the effort as of July.
First elected mayor in 2013, he is term-limited from running again this year.
Cranley plans to run on his record as chief executive of a growing major city. With his announcement, he posted a campaign video on YouTube explaining why he's running. "We're not going to insult you with platitudes and false promises," Cranley said in the video. "Our plans will lead to real results."
That plan, what he called the "Ohio Comeback Plan," would create 30,000 jobs to build roads, add broadband and build an energy economy, which would all pay at least $60,000 annually. He would also legalize marijuana to help fund those jobs.
"And if we don't get it done in my first term," he concluded, "I won't run again."
He joins Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley in the primary race.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to run for a second term, a campaign that will begin with a contested primary against former Congressman Jim Renacci and Central Ohio farmer and business owner Joe Blystone.
