Richard Cordray

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Richard Cordray
Richard Cordray

Ohio State Treasurer
Incumbent
Assumed office 
2007
Governor Ted Strickland
Preceded by Jennette Bradley

Born May 3, 1959 (1959-05-03) (age 49)
Political party Democratic

Richard Cordray (born May 3, 1959) is an American politician of the Democratic Party who currently serves as the State Treasurer of Ohio. Prior to his election as State Treasurer, Cordray previously served as the Treasurer of Franklin County, Ohio.

Cordray graduated from Michigan State University's James Madison College, earned a master's degree in economics from Oxford University, and obtained his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School. Cordray was elected to an unexpired term as Franklin County Treasurer in 2002 defeating political appointee Wade Steen and elected to a full four-year term in 2004. He has previously served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives (1991-1993) and as Ohio's first State Solicitor (1993-1994). Cordray has also engaged in private law practice, including personally arguing six cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and he is a small business owner.

As Franklin County Treasurer, Cordray focused on four major initiatives: collection of delinquent tax revenue through a tax lien certificate sale, creation of a land bank, personal finance education, and the development of a community outreach program. He managed a portfolio that averages $650 million and consistently beat its benchmarks, and he set new records for delinquent tax collection in Franklin County. He also served as President of the Board of Revision and Chair of the Budget Commission. In 2005, Cordray was named the national "County Leader of the Year" by American City & County magazine. He defeated Republican nominee Sandra O'Brien for State Treasurer in the 2006 general election.

Cordray has the distinction of being an undefeated five-time champion and Tournament of Champions semifinalist on Jeopardy! He also carried the Olympic Flame as part of the nationwide torch relay to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Cordray resides near Grove City, Ohio. He is married to Peggy Cordray, a law professor at Capital University Law School, and they have a daughter and a son who are twins.

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Jennette Bradley
Ohio State Treasurer
2007 -
Succeeded by
Incumbent