Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley ‘considering’ run for governor

She is running unopposed for mayor this year.

UPDATE march 6, 2017: Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley will not face a challenger for mayor in 2017, a first for the city.

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Earlier story from Feb. 1:

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley says she is considering a run for governor in 2018.

"I am considering a run for governor but my primary focus now is running for mayor. I love being mayor of Dayton," Whaley said Wednesday.

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper mentioned Whaley as a candidate for governor Wednesday during an interview with the Dayton Daily News.

Whaley, 41, was first elected mayor in 2013 and previously served as a city commissioner.

Pepper said Whaley is holding conversations with Democrats statewide.

“She has got a good record. She is respected as mayor of Dayton. She’s been a very good mayor, a very strong mayor,” Pepper said. He added, “It’s a big decision.”

RELATED: Mayor Whaley has $140K for re-election campaign

Ohio Democrats looking at running for governor include former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton of the Akron area, former Ohio Attorney General Rich Cordray, former state Rep. Connie Pillich, Ohio Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni, Pepper told reporters at a forum hosted by The Associated Press in Columbus.

Pepper said he expects candidates to start getting into statewide races in a month or so.

On the GOP side, Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted declined to say when they might announced their campaign plans for 2018. Likewise, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor has yet to announce.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is prohibited by term limits from running for a third term.

Ohio Republican Party Chairwoman Jane Timken said she won’t “tip the scales” in favor of one candidate over another and she believes GOP primary voters should be allowed to vote.

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