Press Office November 8th, 2007

Karen Gillmor seeks a return
Widow of U.S. Rep. wants to return to the statehouse

Karen Gillmor announced Wednesday she is seeking a return to the Ohio state senate.

PHOTO BY JIM SHOBE Karen Gillmor announced she is a candidate for election in the 26th Senate District. She said too many of the state’s brightest individuals are leaving the state. She said she will work to improve opportunity in Ohio.

“I have had multiple titles in my life,” Gillmor said. “My favorites, of course, are Mom and Mrs. Paul Gillmor. With the support of my children today, I humbly ask the voters of the 26th Senate District to once again give me the title of senator.”

Gillmor made her announcement in the atrium of the Gillmor Science Center on the campus of Heidelberg College in Tiffin. Gillmor is a member of Heidelberg’s board of trustees.

“It is appropriate that I make the announcement here on the campus of one of the most recognized best colleges in America,” Gillmor said. “State government should learn from the work done here at Heidelberg. Here the focus is on real life and the brightest future.”

Gillmor is the widow of the late U.S. Rep. Paul Gillmor, R-Tiffin. She previously served two terms in the Ohio Senate. The 26th Senate seat now is held by Sen. Larry Mumper, R-Marion, who cannot run again because of term limits.

The 26th district includes all or parts of Sandusky, Seneca, Wyandot, Crawford, Marion, Logan and Union counties.

“After Paul’s death, many have encouraged me to return to elective office, to carry on the long tradition this part of Ohio has with the name of Gillmor,” she said.

From 1967 until 1988, Paul Gillmor represented this area of the state as a state senator. From 1988 until his death this year, he represented the area as a U.S. congressman. Karen Gillmor represented the 26th State Senate district two terms previously as well.

Making her announcement to run for the state senate again, Gillmor reminded her audience of her former service and promised to represent the district with energy again. In addition to her two terms in the state senate, Gillmor served as a gubernatorial appointee to the state employee relations board.

Gillmor spoke about the business climate in Ohio. She said the cost of doing business is too high. She said the costs come from multiple sources: the cost of government, the cost of aging infrastructure and the cost of expanding business in the state. Citing a report by a national tax foundation, Gillmor said Ohio has the fifth-highest state tax burden in the country. Gillmor pledged to use her experience in the senate to work toward improving the business climate in Ohio.

Gillmor also spoke about the cost of health care in Ohio.

“There is no silver bullet to the health care crisis,” Gillmor said. “But when I return to the senate, I will work to find ways to provide affordable health care.”

http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/501297.html?nav=5010

• Recent News