State race could pit O’Brien against O’Brien
DAVID SKOLNICK
dskolnick@tribtoday.com
Sandy O’Brien, a former 12-year Ashtabula County auditor, said she’s going to seek the Republican nomination for the seat.
She will challenge incumbent state Sen. Sean J. O’Brien, D-Bazetta, who’s running for re-election in 2020 for a second four-year term.
“I’ve always had an interest in public service,” said Sandy O’Brien, who lives in Lenox Township in Ashtabula County. “I can bring effective leadership to this seat. This is a little bit different for me. I’ve been on the administrative end, and this is the legislative end. I’m ready to do the job.”
I can bring effective leadership to this seat. This is a little bit different for me. I’ve been on the administrative end, and this is the legislative end. I’m ready to do the job
The district includes all of Trumbull and Ashtabula counties and a portion of Geauga County.
O’Brien was first elected Ashtabula County auditor in 1994 and served for 12 years.
“I have a real strong background in county finance,” she said. “I understand budgeting and GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) accounting. I understand the job very well.”
She unsuccessfully ran for a state House seat in her home county in 2000. She won the 2006 Republican primary for state treasurer but lost the general election to Democrat Richard Cordray. She also failed to win GOP primaries in 2010 for secretary of state and in 2018 for state treasurer.
