Richard Cordray

Infobox_State_Senator

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imagesize = 250px
name= Richard Cordray
office= Ohio State Treasurer
term_start= 2007
governor= Ted Strickland
predecessor= Jennette Bradley
successor= Incumbent
birth_date= Birth date and age|1959|5|3|mf=y
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 served as the Treasurer of Franklin County, Ohio. Cordray is currently running for Ohio Attorney General to fill the unexpired term ending January, 2011.

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.

External links

* [http://www.ohiotreasurer.org/ Ohio Treasurer of State Richard Cordray] official state site
* [http://www.yourmoneynowonline.org/ Your Money NOW] official state site dealing with Financial Education
* [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200635&c=419280 Follow the Money - Richard Cordray] 2006 campaign contributions
* [http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/oh/state/vote/cordray_r/ League of Women Voters - Richard Cordray] 2006 profile
* [http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=2718 J! Archive - Richard Cordray] bio and Jeopardy! games played
* [http://www.CordrayforOhio.com/ Richard Cordray for AG] Official campaign website