Richard Cordray in 2018 OH Governor's race
On Abortion:
Women's right to make their own personal decisions
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Richard Cordray (D): Legal. Women should have the right to make their own personal decisions.
Mike DeWine (R): Ban. Would have supported "heartbeat bill," banning abortion at 6 weeks with no exceptions for
rape or incest.
Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion health care?
Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Will work to restore funding.
Mike DeWine (R): No. Nothing requires Ohio to support abortion providers.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Civil Rights:
Long-term supporter of gay marriage
Q: Support gay marriage?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. "Long-term supporter."
Mike DeWine (R): No.
Also opposed including sexual identity in anti-discrimination laws.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Corporations:
Ran Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Q: Economy: Support expanded regulatory role for federal government?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Ran Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which forced financial institutions to return $12 billion to consumers.
Has challenged Ohio payday lending industry.
Mike DeWine (R): No. Make Ohio a low tax, low regulation state that's attractive to businesses. Let governor suspend regulations that adversely affect job creation.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Drugs:
Can't arrest way out of opioid crisis
Q: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana? Support Ohio Ballot Issue 1, which reduces first & second arrests for simple drug possession to non-jail time misdemeanors? Related, how to best address opioid crisis?Richard Cordray (D): Would legalize.
Supports Issue 1 as alternative to failed drug & incarceration policies. "Can't arrest way out of opioid crisis," so fund treatment & prevention programs, train law enforcement, & boost state support for families.
Mike DeWine (R): Opposes recreational marijuana legalization or decriminalization. Sued Toledo when the city passed municipal decriminalization.
Also opposes Issue 1. To help address opioid crisis, expand substance-abuse & early intervention programs, and add drug courts.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
More funding for universal pre-K; no funding charters
Q: Increase funding for K-12 & pre-K education?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Advocates increased funding for universal pre-K ($140 million per year) & more equitable funding of primary & secondary schools.
Mike DeWine (R):
Unclear on general K-12. Supports increased pre-K funding, but when in Senate opposed Head Start funding.
Q: Support privately operated but publicly funded charter schools & programs like vouchers which allow parents to help pay for private schools?
Richard Cordray (D): No. "The for-profit charter schools have been a scandal.
We've got $70 million missing in Columbus that we're never going to see again."
Mike DeWine (R): Yes. Says charters can be cost efficient & higher performing. Also supports vouchers.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
Free community college for all Ohioans
Q: Increase state funding for higher education?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Proposes free community college for all Ohioans. Expand Columbus State Preferred Pathways program that guarantees admission to partner 4-year colleges & enables students to easil
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Climate change threatens Great Lakes & Ohio farms
Q: Consider climate change a critical threat? Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Clean energy & energy efficiency are job engines, but also "keys to addressing climate change that threatens the
Great Lakes & Ohio farmland."
Mike DeWine (R): No. Challenged Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan: "Will dramatically increase Ohioans' electric rates while. offering less reliable service & few tangible environmental benefits."
Q: Government support for renewable energy?
Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Increase requirement for utilities to generate electricity from renewable sources.
Believes this can play key role in revitalizing economy.
Mike DeWine (R): No stand found.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Families & Children:
Require contraception as part of all employer health plans
Q: Contraception: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if they disagree with it morally?Richard Cordray (D): No. Require employers to provide coverage of contraception in health insurance plans.
Considers it key element of women's health care.
Mike DeWine (R): Yes. Considers this an issue of religious freedom for employers.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Government Reform:
Limit political donations from corporations & unions
Q: Campaign Finance: Limit political donations from corporations & unions?Richard Cordray (D): Yes.
Supported McCain-Feingold bill. Also supports public financing of campaigns.
Mike DeWine (R): No. Voted against McCain-Feingold.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Government Reform:
The right to vote is vital to our democracy
Q: Support stricter voting rules such major voter purges, even if they prevent some people from voting?Richard Cordray (D): No. "The right to vote is vital to our democracy."
Make it "more accessible to Ohioans," don't take it away."
Mike DeWine (R): Yes. Applauds US Supreme Court decision upholding Ohio's strict method for purging voter rolls.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Gun Control:
Universal background checks & bump stock ban
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?Richard Cordray (D): Previous history of opposing restriction. Supports universal background checks & bump stock ban. Opposes assault weapons ban.
Mike DeWine (R): More previous support for restrictions. Now supports "stand your ground" law, opposes banning bump stocks or assault weapons. Would let judges seize guns from people at risk.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Health Care:
Expand Medicaid and ObamaCare
Q: Support or Repeal ACA, aka ObamaCare? Accept ACA's Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?Richard Cordray (D): Supports ACA. On Medicaid expansion, 700,000 Ohioans have access to health care "who will
not have it if it goes away."
Mike DeWine (R): Repeal ACA, believes could still keep pre-existing condition coverage. "Medicaid expansion is financially unsustainable," but would keep for now with added work requirements.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Immigration:
Pathways to citizenship for all immigrants who love America
Q: Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing "Dreamers" who grew up in US after arriving illegally as children, to achieve legal status?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Embrace DACA recipients & create "pathways to citizenship for all immigrants who love & respect
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Jobs:
No right-to-work law (keep mandated union dues)
Q: Enact right-to-work law, eliminating the right of unions to mandate dues for workers they represent?
Richard Cordray (D): No.
Mike DeWine (R): "Should be decided by Ohio voters."
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Jobs:
Raise minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025
Q: Raise the minimum wage?Richard Cordray (D): Yes. Fight to raise Ohio minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. Will go to voters if needed.
Mike DeWine (R): Undecided. Says he's "`open to taking a look at' whether the
question should go to voters." As US Senator increased to $7.25 when coupled with increased cap on estate tax. As Attorney General opposed Ohio cities' enacting minimum wage higher than the state's.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Trump tax cuts were a terrible deal that helps the wealthy
Q: Support President Trump's tax cuts? Ohio tax policy?Richard Cordray (D): No. A "terrible deal" that helps the wealthy. No current plan to increase OH taxes, but shift some allocations.
Mike DeWine (R): Supports Trump tax cuts. No tax increases for OH. Exempt capital gains taxes for investment in economically distressed communities.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Technology:
Supports Net Neutrality (equal access to Internet)
Q: Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?Richard Cordray (D):
Yes. Would require for any company contracting with OH.
Mike DeWine (R): Probable no. As Attorney General declined to join lawsuit preserving it.
Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2018 Ohio Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
On Drugs:
Make low-level drug use a misdemeanor; treatment not prison
Gov. John Kasich said he is leaning toward supporting a ballot issue to prevent many low-level drug use and possession offenders from being sent to state prisons. Kasich signaled his potential support for Issue 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot, a constitutional
amendment that would convert low-level drug use and possession felonies to first-degree misdemeanors that would divert offenders out of prison to addiction treatment. It also could lead to the release of those now imprisoned in state facilities for
minor drug offenses."It's important for low-level offenders to not be in the prison system," the second-term Republican governor said,
adding he wants to study the issue further. It is opposed by Attorney General Mike DeWine, the Republican candidate for governor, and supported by his opponent, Democrat Richard Cordray.
Source: The Columbus Dispatch on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Aug 1, 2018
On Corporations:
Nurture small businesses rooted in local communities
Ohio has fewer jobs today than it had in 2001. Local communities need to be equal partners in job growth strategies. Currently many feel left out. We must be more effective in spreading economic opportunity around. At the same time, we are missing
other opportunities. Small businesses rooted in local communities frequently create quality jobs that stand the test of time. Small business, nurtured with appropriate resources and support, can foster sustainable economic growth and innovation.
Source: 2018 Ohio gubernatorial campaign website CordrayForOhio.com
Apr 4, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Clean energy provides jobs AND improves air quality
Ohio Is tragically missing out on the clean energy revolution. We could be creating more good paying jobs, revitalizing rural communities, reducing energy bills, and improving our air and water quality.
In addition to being a jobs engine, clean energy and energy efficiency are key to addressing climate change. Renewable energy and energy efficiency can play a key role in creating manufacturing jobs and revitalizing Ohio.
Source: 2018 Ohio gubernatorial campaign website CordrayForOhio.com
Apr 4, 2018
On Health Care:
ObamaCare saves lives and improves health
Reliable access to quality health care saves lives, promotes stable and healthy lifestyles, and provides security across the social and economic spectrum. The ACA has benefited a huge number of Ohioans by providing them with greater access to affordable
health care, which is a major worry for people and their families. Yet politicians in Washington are currently seeking to strip away the health care protections. We must fight to keep our health care and help Ohioans manage any gaps in coverage.
Source: 2018 Ohio gubernatorial campaign website CordrayForOhio.com
Apr 4, 2018
On Drugs:
We cannot arrest our way out of opioid crisis: tackle causes
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray faulted Republicans for doing too little to fight the opioid crisis and said he would immediately declare a state emergency and begin to better fund social services to address the problem at
its roots. "As governor, I'll bring urgency and badly-needed resources to this fight, and will partner closely with local leaders to stop this plague from causing even more damage." Cordray said Ohio cannot "arrest our way out" of the problem.
Source: NBC 4i WCMH-TV on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Mar 26, 2018
On Gun Control:
Wants gun control laws at both state and local levels
Several cities are considering legislation on guns if state lawmakers don't pass gun law reforms--despite a state law that prevents them from passing stricter laws. As state AG, Corday defended the law all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Now Cordray seems to imply there is daylight between that law and local ordinances. "I think that communities can pass their laws, and the state legislature will pass its laws," Cordray said. "I do believe in home rule. It's part of our constitution."
Source: WOSU National Public Radio on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Mar 23, 2018
On Abortion:
Support abortion rights; fight for Planned Parenthood
Richard Cordray said he would fight what he considers an erosion of abortion rights in Ohio. "Rich Cordray and [lieutenant-governor candidate] Betty Sutton have been strong and consistent supporters of reproductive choice throughout their careers
in public service," Cordray's campaign said in a statement. "As Ohio's governor and lieutenant governor, they'll stop the relentless attacks on women's health by Statehouse Republicans and will work to restore funding for Planned Parenthood.
Rich and Betty will fight to ensure that all women in Ohio will be allowed to make constitutionally protected decisions about their personal
health and will have expanded access to critical health screenings, prenatal and postnatal care, as well as measures to prevent infant mortality."
Source: Governing magazine on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Mar 8, 2018
On Jobs:
Endorsed by unions: Give control back to workers
Big labor took sides in the battle for the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor, endorsing former federal consumer watchdog and AG Richard Cordray. "For years, leaders in Columbus have launched an ideological attack on the working men and women of
Ohio and their ability to collectively bargain for good wages and safe workplace conditions," Mr. Cordray said. "That's wrong, and it has to stop. Betty Sutton and I will make it a point to put state government back on the side of the middle class."
Source: Toledo Blade on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Mar 6, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Does not back tax bill; not enough benefit to middle class
Richard Cordray, a Democrat running for governor in Ohio described the tax bill as a "terrible deal" that helps the wealthy. In a speech Cordray told the audience about his efforts to help consumers and fight big banks while serving as the first
director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. When an audience member asked Cordray to weigh in on the federal tax bill that was in the works at the time (it later became law), he said it wouldn't do enough to help the middle class.
Source: Politifact Fact-check on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Jan 30, 2018
On Education:
Future job skills begin with investment in education system
[On jobs]: In a recent discussion with the former CEO of Google, Governor Kasich accurately referred to this looming crisis as a "tsunami" of job disruption that will require a workforce ready to take on jobs that demand a new skillset, and require
advanced training and technological expertise. I couldn't agree more with how urgent this issue is for our state. But we cannot prepare the next generation of workers to succeed if we refuse to fully fund our most powerful tool: our education system.
Source: Cordray OpEd in DailyKos.com on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Dec 12, 2017
On Families & Children:
Focus on kitchen table issues & improving family life
Former consumer watchdog Richard Cordray says he will focus his campaign for governor on improving the lives of Ohio's families.
At a hometown diner crowded with press and supporters, the 58-year-old Cordray said Tuesday that he will focus on "kitchen table issues" like the costs of health care and college.
Source: WLWT 5 Cincinnati on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Dec 5, 2017
On Corporations:
Developed guidelines to protect consumers from data breaches
The CFPB released nonbinding principles for third parties that use consumer financial data to help guide the development of solutions. The guidance said consumers should have ability to obtain information about their financial data from providers,
while providers should collect information that does not expose consumers to data breaches, among other principles. "These principles express our vision for an innovative market that gives consumers protection and value," CFPB Director Cordray said.
Source: American Banker magazine on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Oct 18, 2017
On Social Security:
Develop consumer tools to use with Social Security decisions
"To a consumer, when to start claiming Social Security payments is one of the key decisions˙they can make about their retirement,"˙said Cordray, director of the CFPB. Because claiming your benefit is a "one-time choice,"˙Cordray
said, "it is imperative that consumers can properly weigh their options." "We want consumers to use our tool to know and understand what it means to claim at their full retirement age vs. several years before and several years after," Cordray said.˙
Source: Jiayue Huang in USA Today on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Nov 18, 2015
On Budget & Economy:
A look back at the recession demands common sense reforms
House Republicans want the consumer watchdog to take responsibility for why home and small-business loans are still hard to come by. But Director Cordray isn't taking the bait. He said loans are still hard to come by because of banks' hesitancy
to jump back into the market following the financial crisis and ensuing recession--not because of new rules or government policies. "You can't look at what happened in 2007 and 2008 without realizing that we need common-sense reforms," Cordray said.
Source: Patrick Reis in Politico.com on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Jul 24, 2012
On Crime:
Endorsements by law enforcement reflects his efforts as AG
Ohio AG Richard Cordray said he has restored professionalism to the scandal-ridden office he took over in 2009, has made sweeping reforms to better serve law enforcement officials and has focused on protecting the financial security of residents.
He said that since then he has focused on his campaign promises, including finding more ways to help police and sheriff departments "do their best work." He said he measures his success by the fact all 7 law enforcement organizations have endorsed him.
Source: Akron Beacon-Journal on 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race
Oct 8, 2010
Page last updated: Jan 13, 2019