Candidate for
Governor; State of Ohio

Since being sworn in as Ohio's 67th Governor on January 11, 1999, Bob Taft has focused on rebuilding Ohio's schools, helping every child learn to read, attracting new jobs, positioning Ohio as a leader in technology, improving services for seniors, and restoring cities and rural communities.

Since his first day in office, Governor Taft's top priority has been to enable every child to succeed. Governor Taft is implementing his 12-year plan to provide $10 billion for new school buildings so every child has a good, safe place to learn. He is working to revise statewide academic standards and hold schools accountable for results, and his OhioReads program has recruited more than 40,000 volunteer tutors to ensure every child can read at grade level by the end of the fourth grade. He and his wife, First Lady Hope Taft, lead by example as reading tutors at a Columbus elementary school.

The Governor has increased investments in research and technology to prepare Ohio to succeed in the New Economy. To this end, Taft has initiated the Third Frontier Project, the state's largest commitment ever to expanding Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promoting start-up companies to build high-wage jobs for generations to come. Taft also is putting more state services online so Ohioans don't have to wait in line.

Immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Governor created the State of Ohio Security Task force to develop a comprehensive state strategy to guard against acts of terrorism. Taft also placed the Ohio Highway Patrol on heightened alert around major metropolitan areas and at major state facilities, and deployed members of the Ohio National Guard to secure Ohio's major airports.

Governor Taft proposed The Clean Ohio Fund, which was approved by voters, to preserve green space, waterways and parklands, and revitalize urban centers through brownfield redevelopment.

He also has expanded programs to help seniors remain in their own homes and has increased access to health care for thousands of children and families.

Governor Taft began his career in public service as a teacher in the Peace Corps in East Africa. He has served Ohioans as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, as a Hamilton County Commissioner and as Ohio's Secretary of State.

He graduated from Yale University with a bachelor of arts degree in government, received his master's degree in government from Princeton University and earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati Law School.

Governor Taft's father and grandfather both served in the United States Senate, and his great-grandfather, William Howard Taft, served as the 27th President of the United States and Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Governor and First Lady Hope Taft have one daughter, Anna.