Mayor Jay: Not running for Ohio lieutenant governor next year

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams says today neither the governor nor anyone on his behalf has approached him to run next year for lieutenant governor.

And it doesn’t sound like Williams is eager to be Ted Strickland’s running mate when the governor seeks re-election next year.

“My passion and my focus remain advancing the interests of the people of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley,” Williams said. “It is my belief that I can best do that by serving as the mayor of the city of Youngstown, a position I consider to be amongst the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my professional career.”

Williams’ name as a potential running mate for Strickland, a Democrat, has been rumored for the past few months.

The mayor told The Vindicator a month ago that he hadn’t been approached by Strickland or a representative of the governor about running next year for lieutenant governor. He repeated that today.

The rumors started again because a reporter for the Associated Press recently wrote an analysis article stating Williams is among “the names of potential Strickland picks circulating around Columbus in recent weeks.”

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com