Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer to run for Ohio treasurer

Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer has announced that he intends to seek the office of treasurer of the State of Ohio.

“This week, I plan to file petitions to run for the office of Ohio Treasurer of State," Schertzer said in a statement released Tuesday morning by the Ohio Democratic Party. "I look forward to making a formal announcement soon and talking with voters all across Ohio about how we can create jobs, balance budgets, and bring small town values to Columbus.”

Schertzer, a native of Marion County and alumnus of Ridgedale High School, has served as mayor of Marion since 2008. He defeated Phil Reid in the 2007 general election to win his first term in office. Schertzer then won reelection in 2011 by a 2-to-1 margin over James H. Gilsdorf.

In 2015, he claimed 60% of the votes in a four-person race for mayor to win a third term in office. He was elected to a fourth term as mayor after claiming victory in the 2019 general election against two challengers, Kevin Norris and Sue McGowan.

Prior to running for mayor, Schertzer sought the Democratic Party nomination for Marion city treasurer in 1997, but was unsuccessful. He was appointed to fill an at-large seat on Marion City Council in 1999 and served until 2007.

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In January 2018, former state lawmaker Connie Pillich selected Schertzer to be her running mate when she ran for governor. However, Pillich dropped out of the race about a month after making the announcement and endorsed Richard Cordray for governor.

Politics has been part of Schertzer's path in life since he was a young man. After graduating from the University of Toledo in the early 1990s, he worked on Sherrod Brown's reelection campaign for Ohio secretary of state and also worked on the campaign committee for fellow Marion Countian Mary Ellen Withrow when she was running for Ohio treasurer of state.

Schertzer then worked for Elgin Local Schools from 1996 to 2007, serving as a history teacher at the junior high school.

The deadline to file petitions to seek elected in office this year is Wednesday, Feb. 2. The primary election is scheduled for May 3.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer to run for state treasurer