State Rep. Jennifer Garrison Withdraws from Secretary of State Race: Democrat To Completely Quit Politics

By Anthony Fossaceca and crossposted on OhioDailyBlog

It's official.
With the announcement expected Monday, Jennifer Garrison's campaign beat everyone to the punch and issued a press release moments ago declaring the end to her six-month campaign to be Secretary of State. The larger news is that Garrison will not be seeking re-election to the Ohio House.
From the release:
State Representative Jennifer Garrison, announced today she will not seek the Democratic nomination for Ohio Secretary of State.
“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.”
Garrison continued by saying, “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. 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.”

Garrison does not plan to seek re-election to the Ohio House of Representatives.

[Ed. Note: Garrison was recruited by Democratic party leaders. She is from Marietta on the Ohio River in southeast Ohio. She opposed gay marriage, and many Dems considered her too conservative and had questions about whether she was pro-choice. Support was eroding, and she reportedly did poorly in polls. Tim Russo at Plunderbund is elated that Garrison won't be on the statewide ticket.]