Here are the clips from the announcement today by John Kasich of Republican state Auditor Mary Taylor as his running mate against incumbent Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland:

Here’s the press release:

Columbus, Ohio – Today, Ohio gubernatorial candidate John Kasich named Ohio State Auditor Mary Taylor as his selection for Lieutenant Governor.
At a press conference in Columbus, Auditor Taylor accepted the invitation. “For the past three years, I have worked to protect Ohio taxpayers from wasteful spending and to instill accountability in state government,” said Taylor. “In this economy, Ohioans deserve to know that their scarce dollars are spent wisely and efficiently.
“Despite my repeated warnings about a looming, multi-billion dollar budget hole, and the dangers of over-relying on one-time state and federal stimulus money, I was ignored. For the past three years, I’ve served the role of government watchdog; once elected Lieutenant Governor, I will assume the role of an agent of change, capable of implementing transformative policies to improve the lives of Ohioans.”
“John and I will use our experiences and our accomplishments to form a leadership team whose goal is to reset government as we know it.”
Said Kasich, “Mary Taylor is among the most qualified candidates Ohio has ever seen, and she is the obvious choice to serve as Lieutenant Governor. Equally important, she is fully prepared to serve as Governor of the great State of Ohio.
“Mary will be an integral part of what I want to do to create jobs in this state and restore prosperity to Ohioans. She understands that job creation, long-term financial stability and economic prosperity will never return to Ohio until state government is modernized, and until our massive fiscal crises are dealt with honestly.
“Mary shares my belief that the budget is but a symptom – not the cause – of Ohio’s economic misery. The problem is a state government that punishes success, impedes economic growth, and drives our best and brightest workers to other states.
Mary will be a full partner in this movement to save Ohio. By resetting the size and scope of state government amid our current economic realities, Mary will help create the space needed for me to bring stable, high-paying jobs to Ohio and make Ohio a state where employers will want to locate, and our families will want to stay.”

Here’s a statement from Ohio GOP head Kevin DeWine:

(Columbus) – Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine issued the following statement today regarding gubernatorial candidate John Kasich’s selection of Mary Taylor as his running mate:

“The addition of Mary Taylor to the gubernatorial ticket creates an unbeatable team in this year’s election.  Mary is imminently qualified to serve not only as lieutenant governor but as governor.  She’s worked hard as state auditor to earn a national reputation for integrity and professionalism.  More importantly, Mary is a credible authority on the state budget at a time when Ohio is facing its worst financial crisis in a generation.

Her experience as a certified public accountant will be an enormous asset to the Kasich administration as they work to streamline state government, create new jobs and get Ohio’s economy back on track. 

Mary’s decision strengthens the top of our ticket and benefits our entire team of statewide candidates.  I’m confident that we will quickly recruit a strong successor to continue her great leadership as auditor.”

And here’s a statement from Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern on the selection:

COLUMBUS – At a press conference today, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern responded to the selection of State Auditor Mary Taylor as the running mate of Congressman and former Lehman Brothers Managing Director John Kasich.
 
“While Mary Taylor calls herself the state’s ‘taxpayer watchdog,’ her actions as state auditor and her support for Congressman Kasich’s radical budget plans paint a picture of fiscal irresponsibility,” Redfern said. “As the Associated Press highlighted today, a non-partisan Legislative Service Commission analysis shows that Congressman Kasich’s budget plans will cost nearly $900 million in the first year and create a $12 billion budget deficit by 2020.
 
“We are confident that when Ohio voters learn about John Kasich’s record of supporting the Washington-Wall Street policies that got us into this economic mess and his plans to make drastic cuts to our schools and police and fire departments, they will send Ted Strickland back to the Governor’s Office. Mary Taylor does nothing to change that.”
 
Kasich’s Budget Plan Will Cost State $900 Million And Lead To $12 Billion Budget Deficit By 2020. The Associated Press highlighted a non-partisan Legislative Service Commission analysis shows that shows Congressman Kasich’s budget plans will cost nearly $900 million in the first year and create a $12 billion budget deficit by 2020. [Associated Press, 1/14/10]