Doctor making Ohio governor bid hasn’t voted since 2012

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COLUMBUS (AP) — A Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Ohio who has framed his campaign as a response to President Donald Trump didn’t vote in the 2016 election — or any election since 2012, according to county voting records.

Cleveland physician and venture capitalist Jon Heavey said he abstained from the last presidential contest because he was dissatisfied with his choices in a contest that pitted Trump, a Republican, against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Cuyahoga County voting records show Heavey also has not voted in any special, primary or off-year general election for five years. His last ballot was cast in November 2012.

“Just like the millions of other Americans who aren’t engaged in the political process, I wasn’t satisfied with my choices on the ballot,” he said in a statement released to The Associated Press. “The people of Ohio deserve leaders who understand their frustrations, and that’s why I decided to run.”

Heavey, 42, is a former infantry field surgeon-turned-venture capitalist who slipped into the crowded Democratic primary on the Feb. 7 filing deadline. He works at the Cleveland Clinic.

He seeded his first foray into politics with $1.5 million of his own money, saying he was driven out of anger over the president’s handling of the job.

He faces a list of Democratic challengers that includes former federal consumer watchdog Richard Cordray, former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, and former Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill. Former state Rep. Connie Pillich dropped out of the race Wednesday to become the third former candidate to back Cordray.

Attorney General Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor are facing off on the Republican side.

Republican Gov. John Kasich is term-limited and unable to seek re-election.

By Julie Carr Smyth

Associated Press

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