Candidate campaigns for attorney general

PERKINS TWP. — Wearing a bright red "Tax the rich" T-shirt, a Democratic candidate for attorney general campaigned on Monday in Erie County, talking up his platforms with local Democrats. Elliott Forhan, a Cleveland attorney and a former state representative, was one of the Democratic candidates at a Democratic Women of Erie County picnic occurring at Strickfaden Park in Perkins Township. Forhan said he is running to "tax the rich" and "stand up to bullies." "I believe that the laws apply equally to everyone, including the rich and the powerful," he said. He criticized the current attorney general, Dave Yost, for prosecuting a woman in Ottawa County for an allegedly false rape accusation. Referring to a case which has been covered by the Register, Forhan said, Yost "prosecuted a woman there for making what he said was a false rape allegation. He later learned two other women had accused the same man of drugging and sexually assaulting them, yet he continued to prosecute that Ottawa County woman. The court acquitted her, of course." The Register has published several stories about the case. Yost would not comment. Forhan is running for a post currently occupied by Yost, who has served two terms and can't run again. Yost launched a campaign for governor but suspended his campaign after Republicans coalesced around the Trump-endorsed candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy. The current Republican state auditor, Keith Faber, is running for attorney general. A retired Columbus attorney, John Kulewicz, is considering a run for attorney general as a Democrat, according to an article published Wednesday in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Forhan has become known in Cleveland and Columbus for his feuds with other Democrats. He was elected to the Ohio House in 2022 but came in third place in the Democratic primary in 2024, ending his tenure in Columbus, after various controversies. State Rep. Juanita Brent, D-Cleveland, accused Forhan of harassing her. After allegations of bad conduct made by fellow Democrats in the Ohio House, then-Speaker Jason Stephens in November 2023 took away Forhan's badge access to the Ohio Statehouse. Yost upheld the Ohio General Assembly's punishment of Forhan. In a news release issued Tuesday, Forhan said he is "currently suing Rep. Juanita Brent, Rep. Allison Russo, Attorney General Dave Yost, and others for defamation and other claims." Russo is the former leader of House Democrats. Forhan's website, forhanforohio.com, prominently features his "Tax the rich" slogan. The Register asked Forhan what taxation has to do with the duties of the attorney general's office. Forhan explained that he will crack down on "tax cheats" when he is elected attorney general and enforce the tax code. About 60 people attended the Democratic Women of Erie County event. Margaret Murray, the president of the group, said about 50% of her members have joined in the last five years. The group has about 90 members, she said. The group is very excited about the 2026 race, particularly after Sherrod Brown announced this week he is running for the U.S. Senate again, Murray said.