Garrison Bows Out

by Callie Lyons
February 6, 2010

After six months on the campaign trail and dozens of statewide endorsements, State Representative Jennifer Garrison announced Saturday that she was pulling out of the race for Ohio Secretary of State.

Garrison has not been available for comment since releasing her statement over the weekend.

“I have truly enjoyed meeting Ohioans from all walks of life during the 6 month campaign. Ohio is blessed to have a diverse landscape and people. I feel thankful and humbled by the support I have received from my colleagues, labor and Ohioans.” Garrison said. “While I have determined this is not the right time for me and my family to seek this office, my utmost hope is that the voters will challenge all Secretary of State Candidates to explain how they will increase voter participation and facilitate business growth in Ohio.”

Presumptive republican candidate Jon Husted, former speaker of the house, has raised $2 million in pursuit of the seat. However Garrison had raised only a fraction of that amount, roughly one-tenth, according to January reports.

Even so, it seemed likely that Garrison would capture the democratic nomination in the primary election until rumblings in the media last week that state party leaders were trying to supplant the candidate in favor of someone more liberal. Washington County Democratic Party Chair Molly Varner said she is not sure that is accurate.

“I can’t answer that,” Varner said. “I know what the Dispatch stories make it look like, but I think that’s more speculation than anything else.”

Garrison said she will not seek re-election to the 93rd House District.

Varner said Garrison is such a good representative for the people of her district that it’s hard to imagine the local political scene without her.

“I’m very disappointed in that also. To lose Jenny as state representative and also to lose the potential that she’ll be secretary of state,” Varner said. “She’s bright. She’s thorough. She keeps close contact with folks in the district. I just can’t imagine not having Jenny Garrison as state rep.”

Garrison’s statement Saturday revealed that she hopes to have made a difference in the race even if it will go forward without her participation.

“I ask the next Secretary of State to be committed to the principles of transparent and fair elections and to concentrate on increasing voter participation,” Garrison said. “House Bill 260, otherwise known as the Elections Enhancement Bill is a good start. This legislation requires automatic voter registration every time an Ohioan touches state government, whether through renewing a driver’s license or applying for state benefits. This bill goes a long way toward increasing voter participation and reducing allegations of fraud within the voter registration process. I ask both Republican and Democratic candidates to commit their support for this bill.”

On Monday, the Ohio Democratic Party announced that Franklin County Common Pleas Clerk Maryellen O’Shaughnessy will soon announce her candidacy for Secretary of State with the support of state party chair Chris Redfern and Governor Ted Strickland.

While Garrison’s political future seems uncertain, Varner says she’s sure we haven’t heard the last of her.

“I’m sure whatever she does next will benefit our area - because you can’t keep a good woman down,” Varner said.