Here are the clips from the press conference at Ohio Republican Party headquarters where Delaware County Prosecutor (and former county auditor) Dave Yost announced he was running for state auditor (rather than attorney general):

Here’s the Democratic Party react:

COLUMBUS- Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern issued the following statement in response to Delaware County Prosecutor David Yost’s decision to drop out of the Attorney General’s race and run for State Auditor instead:
 
“Dave Yost was strong-armed out of the Attorney General’s race by the Ohio Republican Party, despite having endorsements from many county Republican parties throughout the state. Yost clearly wanted to be Attorney General, but was forced to play second fiddle to Kevin DeWine’s second cousin and the second choice of the Republican base. Meanwhile, two self-proclaimed Tea Party candidates are now pitted against one another in the race for the Republican nomination for Auditor, which has infuriated the right-wing of the Republican Party.
 
Running for the Auditor’s office should not be a consolation prize. David Pepper has been travelling across the state for eight months, talking to Ohioans about what they want out of a State Auditor and speaking about his passion for improving the Auditor’s office. He will build on his record of protecting Ohio tax dollars by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse, while expanding transparency and accountability in local government.”

 
And here’s something from Rep. Seth Morgan’s campaign, Yost’s current primary competition:

Huber Heights, Ohio- Friends of Seth Morgan welcome the challenge of Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost bowing to the political establishment pressure by leaving the Ohio Attorney General race against Mike DeWine in the Republican primary election and instead deciding to enter the Ohio auditor’s race.

“The auditor’s office requires the ability to not bend to pressures and not be influenced so easily,” said Rob Scott, Communications Director of Friends of Seth Morgan. “Rep. Morgan is unbending towards pressure. As a CPA and as an elected official, he has fought the Ohio governor and local government for accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility in government.”

“Throughout the next several months, Ohio citizens will discover who is more qualified as Ohio’s next auditor and not a couple of individuals who make backroom deals,” Scott said.

Seth Morgan was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2008 after serving seven years on the Huber Heights City Council. He is a Small Business Owner and Certified Public Accountant. For more information about Seth Morgan visit www.SethMorgan.org.