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Person

Richard Cordray

Democratic · Former Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–2017

Work
Clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Byron White and Anthony Kennedy, and for Judge Robert Bork on the D.C. Circuit.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Education
B.A. in legal and political theory, Michigan State University, 1981, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Education
M.A. in philosophy, politics and economics, Brasenose College, Oxford University, as a Marshall Scholar.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Education
J.D., University of Chicago Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the University of Chicago Law Review.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Ballotpedia · Wikipedia

9 of 11 sections researched

27 sources · 1998, 2006, 2010, 2018 · updated 2026-09-24

Not yet researched: What they have said, checked, Endorsements.

What has been checked
  • Profile 13 entries
  • On the ballot 0 entries
  • Where they stand 5 entries
  • What they have said, checked Not yet researched
  • Record in office 9 entries
  • Money 5 entries
  • Financial interests 1 entry
  • Polling and approval 2 entries
  • Elections 4 entries
  • Endorsements Not yet researched
  • Sources 22 entries
Coverage, by section9 of 11 sections researched.Profile: 13 entriesOn the ballot: 0 entriesWhere they stand: 5 entriesWhat they have said, checked: Not yet researchedRecord in office: 9 entriesMoney: 5 entriesFinancial interests: 1 entryPolling and approval: 2 entriesElections: 4 entriesEndorsements: Not yet researchedSources: 22 entries9 of 11 sections researched · 27 sources
Coverage, by section9 of 11 sections researched.Source: Cracked Buckeye coverage record for Richard Cordray, 9 of 11 sections researched · as of 2026-09-24 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
SectionState
profileresearched
ballotresearched
positionsresearched
claimsnot researched
recordresearched
moneyresearched
interestsresearched
pollingresearched
electionsresearched
endorsementsnot researched
sourcesresearched

Correct this page · hello@crackedbuckeye.com

Richard Cordray
United States Department of Education, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Where they are on the ballotOn the ballot for Governor of Ohio.Richard Cordray: Governor of Ohio, Democratic
Where they are on the ballotOn the ballot for Governor of Ohio.Source: U.S. House districts of the Ohio Redistricting Commission plan of October 31, 2025 · as of 2026-09-24 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
ChamberDistrictNote
StatewideAll of OhioGovernor of Ohio

On the ballot

None found in the records checked

The voting scheduleNo race is pending for Richard Cordray in the calendars on file.None found in the records checked
The voting scheduleNo race is pending for Richard Cordray in the calendars on file.Source: ohiosos.gov · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Status
None found in the records checked

Where they stand

Healthcare

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Pledged to protect the ACA's pre-existing-condition coverage protections and to take on drug companies and insurance companies to protect health care.

2018 · 2018 campaign, per Dayton Daily News

Source: daytondailynews.com

Opioid crisis

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Pledged to declare a state of emergency immediately and increase funding for opioid treatment and social-services programs.

2018 · 2018 campaign, per Dayton Daily News

Source: daytondailynews.com

Qualifications for the office

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Entered the race as a first-time statewide candidate whose principal credential was appellate/legal work as Ohio's first Solicitor General (1993-1995), in contrast to Montgomery's background as an elected county prosecutor before she became Attorney General.

1998 · 1998 campaign

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org

Small-business lending

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Pledged to expand the state's linked-deposit program, under which the Treasurer deposits state funds in local banks that agree to make below-market-rate loans to small businesses.

October 19, 2006 · City Club of Cleveland debate, per Ideastream

Source: ideastream.org

State investments

Paraphrase of a linked source, not their words:

Ran on his record as Franklin County Treasurer managing a roughly $650 million investment portfolio with consistently 'clean' state audits, contrasting it with O'Brien's Ashtabula County audit record, where 11 of her 12 county audits drew citations.

October 19, 2006 · City Club of Cleveland debate, per Ideastream

Source: ideastream.org

What they have said, checked

Not yet researched

Record in office

Record in office, dated entries9 record entries from 1992 to 2017; 8 of them actions; 7 offices held on the record.20002010Cordray (D)Franklin County Treasurer, 2002 to 2007Ohio State Treasurer, 2007 to 2009Attorney General of Ohio, 2009-01 to 2011-01Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012 to 2017-11Franklin County Treasurer, 2002 to 2007-01Ohio House of Representatives, 33rd District, 1991 to 1992Solicitor General of Ohio, 1993-09 to 19951992 (action): Lost his first bid for federal office, the 1992 U.S. House race in Ohio's 15th District, to Republican Deborah Pryce in a three-way contest,1993-12 (action): As Solicitor General, defended the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board's denial of a Ku Klux Klan cross-display permit at the Ohio Stat2002 (action): As Franklin County Treasurer, set new records for delinquent property-tax collection through a tax-lien-certificate sale program, land-bank 2009-07 (action): Became the first state attorney general in the nation to sue a mortgage loan servicer (GMAC Mortgage/Ally Financial) over foreclosure practi2010 (action): As Ohio Attorney General (2009-2011), sued or settled with major Wall Street firms and recovered roughly $2 billion for Ohio pension funds, 2010-08 (action): About 60% of his 2010 campaign fundraising came from the state Democratic Party, labor unions and law firms retained by his office as outsid2010-10 (action): His office filed suit against GMAC Mortgage and parent Ally Financial alleging fraudulent 'robo-signing' affidavits to mislead courts in hun2016 (ruling): As CFPB Director, Cordray's single-director enforcement action against PHH Corp. (raising an initial $6 million fine to $109 million) was fo2017-11 (action): Resigned as CFPB Director in November 2017, before his term expired, to run for governor.
Record in office, dated entries9 record entries from 1992 to 2017; 8 of them actions; 7 offices held on the record.Source: Cracked Buckeye person record for Cordray (D), 9 dated entries · as of 2017-11 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
PersonDateKindEntry
Cordray (D)2002officeFranklin County Treasurer
Cordray (D)2007officeOhio State Treasurer
Cordray (D)2009-01officeAttorney General of Ohio
Cordray (D)2012officeDirector, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Cordray (D)2002officeFranklin County Treasurer
Cordray (D)1991officeOhio House of Representatives, 33rd District
Cordray (D)1993-09officeSolicitor General of Ohio
Cordray (D)1992action1992 (action): Lost his first bid for federal office, the 1992 U.S. House race in Ohio's 15th District, to Republican Deborah Pryce in a three-way contest,
Cordray (D)1993-12action1993-12 (action): As Solicitor General, defended the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board's denial of a Ku Klux Klan cross-display permit at the Ohio Stat
Cordray (D)2002action2002 (action): As Franklin County Treasurer, set new records for delinquent property-tax collection through a tax-lien-certificate sale program, land-bank
Cordray (D)2009-07action2009-07 (action): Became the first state attorney general in the nation to sue a mortgage loan servicer (GMAC Mortgage/Ally Financial) over foreclosure practi
Cordray (D)2010action2010 (action): As Ohio Attorney General (2009-2011), sued or settled with major Wall Street firms and recovered roughly $2 billion for Ohio pension funds,
Cordray (D)2010-08action2010-08 (action): About 60% of his 2010 campaign fundraising came from the state Democratic Party, labor unions and law firms retained by his office as outsid
Cordray (D)2010-10action2010-10 (action): His office filed suit against GMAC Mortgage and parent Ally Financial alleging fraudulent 'robo-signing' affidavits to mislead courts in hun
Cordray (D)2016ruling2016 (ruling): As CFPB Director, Cordray's single-director enforcement action against PHH Corp. (raising an initial $6 million fine to $109 million) was fo
Cordray (D)2017-11action2017-11 (action): Resigned as CFPB Director in November 2017, before his term expired, to run for governor.

  1. action November 2017

    Resigned as CFPB Director in November 2017, before his term expired, to run for governor.

    House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, per CNN Money: Personal political ambitions · the source

    Source: money.cnn.com

  2. ruling 2016

    As CFPB Director, Cordray's single-director enforcement action against PHH Corp. (raising an initial $6 million fine to $109 million) was found by a D.C. Circuit panel to be an abuse of discretion; the same panel's ruling in PHH Corp. v. CFPB held the bureau's single-director structure unconstitutional.

    Sources: reason.com · housingwire.com

  3. action October 2010

    His office filed suit against GMAC Mortgage and parent Ally Financial alleging fraudulent 'robo-signing' affidavits to mislead courts in hundreds of Ohio foreclosure cases, and took formal legal action against 14 foreclosure-rescue scam operations targeting Ohio homeowners during his tenure.

    Source: Ohio sues loan servicer for fraudulent practices involving hundreds of Ohio foreclosures

  4. action August 2010

    About 60% of his 2010 campaign fundraising came from the state Democratic Party, labor unions and law firms retained by his office as outside 'special counsel'; DeWine's campaign characterized this as 'almost exclusively' from those sources, which PolitiFact rated Half True.

    PolitiFact, August 30, 2010: Half True · the source

    Source: Mike DeWine says Attorney General Richard Cordray's campaign is funded 'almost exclusively' by party, labor unions and special counsels

  5. action 2010

    As Ohio Attorney General (2009-2011), sued or settled with major Wall Street firms and recovered roughly $2 billion for Ohio pension funds, investors, schools and cities, including a $475 million Merrill Lynch settlement, $400 million from Marsh & McLennan, and roughly $725 million from AIG.

    Sources: cnbc.com · npr.org

  6. action July 2009

    Became the first state attorney general in the nation to sue a mortgage loan servicer (GMAC Mortgage/Ally Financial) over foreclosure practices, and pressed Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo to meet with his office.

    Source: Ohio AG Cordray Files Suit Against GMAC Mortgage for Fraudulent Foreclosures

  7. action 2002

    As Franklin County Treasurer, set new records for delinquent property-tax collection through a tax-lien-certificate sale program, land-bank creation, and personal-finance education initiatives; every state audit of his office came back clean.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  8. action December 1993

    As Solicitor General, defended the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board's denial of a Ku Klux Klan cross-display permit at the Ohio Statehouse; lost at both the federal district court and the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the case was later decided against the state's position by the U.S. Supreme Court, 7-2, in June 1995, after Cordray had left the office.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  9. action 1992

    Lost his first bid for federal office, the 1992 U.S. House race in Ohio's 15th District, to Republican Deborah Pryce in a three-way contest, taking 37.9% of the vote to Pryce's 44.1%, with independent Linda Reidelbach drawing 17.9%.

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

Money

Where the money went, as filedRichard Cordray raised $19.6M, spent $16.9M as of December 31, 2018; $2.7M of what was raised is not accounted for in the filed totals; no cash on hand is filed.Raised to Spent: $16.9MRaised to Not in the filed totals (derived): $2.7MRichard Cordray: Raised, $19.6M as filed, as of 2018-12-31Raised$19.6MRichard Cordray: Spent, $16.9M as filed, as of 2018-12-31Spent$16.9MRichard Cordray: Not in the filed totals (derived), $2.7M as filed, as of 2018-12-31Not in the filed totals (derived)$2.7MIn, as filedWhere it went, as filed
Where the money went, as filedRichard Cordray raised $19.6M, spent $16.9M as of December 31, 2018; $2.7M of what was raised is not accounted for in the filed totals; no cash on hand is filed.Source: Ohio Secretary of State campaign finance filings, through 2018-12-31 · as of 2018-12-31 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
FromToDollarsShare of totalNote
RaisedSpent16,900,00086.4%
RaisedNot in the filed totals (derived)2,667,01613.6%Derived: raised exceeds spent plus cash on hand in this filing; the difference is not itemized in the totals filed.
Money, as filedRichard Cordray raised $19.6M, spent $16.9M as of December 31, 2018; 3 filings on file.2018 GovernorRaisedRichard Cordray, 2018 Governor: raised $19.6M as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State, as of 2018-12-31$19.6MSpentRichard Cordray, 2018 Governor: spent $16.9M as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State, as of 2018-12-31$16.9MCash on handRichard Cordray, 2018 Governor: cash on hand not yet researchedNot yet researched2010 Attorney GeneralRaisedRichard Cordray, 2010 Attorney General: raised not yet researchedNot yet researchedSpentRichard Cordray, 2010 Attorney General: spent not yet researchedNot yet researchedCash on handRichard Cordray, 2010 Attorney General: cash on hand $3.5M as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State, as of 2010-07$3.5M2006 TreasurerRaisedRichard Cordray, 2006 Treasurer: raised $1.5M as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State, as of 2006-10-18$1.5MSpentRichard Cordray, 2006 Treasurer: spent not yet researchedNot yet researchedCash on handRichard Cordray, 2006 Treasurer: cash on hand not yet researchedNot yet researched
Money, as filedRichard Cordray raised $19.6M, spent $16.9M as of December 31, 2018; 3 filings on file.Source: Ohio Secretary of State campaign finance filings · as of 2018-12-31 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
GroupItemUSDNote
2018 GovernorRaised19,567,016
2018 GovernorSpent16,900,000
2018 GovernorCash on handNot yet researched
2010 Attorney GeneralRaisedNot yet researched
2010 Attorney GeneralSpentNot yet researched
2010 Attorney GeneralCash on hand3,500,000
2006 TreasurerRaised1,500,000
2006 TreasurerSpentNot yet researched
2006 TreasurerCash on handNot yet researched
Itemized contributions from inside Ohio, share of all itemizedNo filing on file for Richard Cordray breaks itemized contributions down by state.None found in the records checked
Itemized contributions from inside Ohio, share of all itemizedNo filing on file for Richard Cordray breaks itemized contributions down by state.Source: fec.gov · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Status
None found in the records checked

Totals as filed

RaceFilerRaisedSpentCash on handAs of
Governor of Ohio OhioSOS $19,567,016$16,900,000December 31, 2018
Attorney General of Ohio OhioSOS $3,500,000July 2010
Treasurer of State of Ohio OhioSOS $1,500,000October 18, 2006

Source: transparencyusa.org

Source: Who has the money? Cordray outraises DeWine in September

Source: ideastream.org

Donors, as filed2 donors on file, totaling $5.0M; the top entry is Ohio Democratic Party at $4.0M.Ohio Democratic PartyOhio Democratic Party: $4.0M$4.0MAmerican Federation…American Federation of Teachers and Ohio's NEA affiliate: $1.0M$1.0M
Donors, as filed2 donors on file, totaling $5.0M; the top entry is Ohio Democratic Party at $4.0M.Source: Ohio Secretary of State campaign finance filings · as of 2018-12-31 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
GroupItemUSDNote
Ohio Democratic Party3,985,083.23
American Federation of Teachers and Ohio's NEA affiliate1,000,000

Top donors, as filed

Outside spending

Outside spending, as reportedNo outside spending is on file for or against Richard Cordray yet.None found in the records checked
Outside spending, as reportedNo outside spending is on file for or against Richard Cordray yet.Source: fec.gov · as of 2026-11-03 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Status
None found in the records checked

Financial interests

Disclosed holdings

None found in the records checked.

Disclosed income

None found in the records checked.

Reported conflicts

Net worth, as estimated

None found in the records checked.

Polling and approval

Polls, Governor of Ohio, as published1 field date from October 30, 2018 to October 30, 2018; the latest has Cordray at 48.0%25%50%75%100%Nov 2018Election dayRichard Cordray 48% - Gravis Marketing, 2018-10-30 - likely votersField date
Polls, Governor of Ohio, as published1 field date from October 30, 2018 to October 30, 2018; the latest has Cordray at 48.Source: Cracked Buckeye poll log for Richard Cordray, 1 poll, as published by Gravis Marketing · as of 2018-10-30 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
Field dateCandidateSharePoll
Oct 30, 2018Richard Cordray48Gravis Marketing, likely voters

Elections

Election results, share of the vote4 races on file, 1 won; shares from 37.8% to 57.9%.1998 Attorney GeneralRichard Cordray, Attorney General of Ohio: lost, 37.8%37.8%2006 TreasurerRichard Cordray, Treasurer of State of Ohio: won, 57.9%57.9%2010 Attorney GeneralRichard Cordray, Attorney General of Ohio: lost, 46.3%46.3%2018 GovernorRichard Cordray, Governor of Ohio: lost, 46.7%46.7%
Election results, share of the vote4 races on file, 1 won; shares from 37.8% to 57.9%.Source: Ohio Secretary of State, official canvass, 1998-2018 · as of 2018 · Download this chart
The numbers behind this figure, as a table
GroupItemPCTNote
1998 Attorney General37.8
2006 Treasurer57.9
2010 Attorney General46.3
2018 Governor46.7
RacePartyResultVotesShare
Governor of Ohio (2018) DemocraticLost 2,070,046 46.7%
Attorney General of Ohio (2010) DemocraticLost 1,772,728 46.3%
Treasurer of State of Ohio (2006) DemocraticWon 2,223,282 57.9%
Attorney General of Ohio (1998) DemocraticLost 1,240,102 37.8%

Offices held

  • Franklin County Treasurer · 2002 to 2007 · elected

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • Ohio State Treasurer · 2007 to 2009 · elected

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • Attorney General of Ohio · 2009-01 to 2011-01 · elected

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · 2012 to 2017-11 · appointed

    Source: consumerfinance.gov

  • Franklin County Treasurer · 2002 to 2007-01 · elected

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • Ohio House of Representatives, 33rd District · 1991 to 1992 · elected

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

  • Solicitor General of Ohio · 1993-09 to 1995 · appointed

    Source: en.wikipedia.org

Endorsements

Not yet researched

Sources

Data from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0: Richard Cordray · 2018 Ohio gubernatorial election · 2010 Ohio Attorney General election · 2006 Ohio State Treasurer election · 1998 Ohio Attorney General election · Solicitor General of Ohio · Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board v. Pinette · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Montgomery

Every URL on this page, once each.

  1. Richard Cordray · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-19
  2. Richard Cordray · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-19
  3. 2018 Ohio gubernatorial election · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-19
  4. 2010 Ohio Attorney General election · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-19
  5. Governor Race: What you need to know about Richard Cordray, where he stands on issues · Dayton Daily News · accessed 2026-09-19
  6. Ohio Attorney General Fights Against Wall Street · CNBC · 2010-10-12 · accessed 2026-09-19
  7. Ohio Attorney General Fights Wall Street Wrongs · NPR · 2009-12-07 · accessed 2026-09-19
  8. A Limited Victory for Limited Government · Reason · 2016-10-11 · accessed 2026-09-19
  9. PHH vs. CFPB: Cordray won't be around to see the outcome of the case · HousingWire · accessed 2026-09-19
  10. Cordray resignation sets off scramble over Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · CNN Money · 2017-11-24 · accessed 2026-09-19
  11. Richard Cordray - Ohio Candidate · Transparency USA · accessed 2026-09-19
  12. Teacher unions plunk $1 million behind Richard Cordray · The Columbus Dispatch · 2018-10-12 · accessed 2026-09-19
  13. CFPB Director Richard Cordray biography · Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · accessed 2026-09-19
  14. Cordray leads GOP's DeWine by 5 points in Ohio governor's race: poll · The Hill · accessed 2026-09-19
  15. Ohio Attorney General election, 2010 · Ballotpedia · accessed 2026-09-21
  16. 2006 Ohio State Treasurer election · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-21
  17. State Treasurer Candidates Debate · Ideastream Public Media · 2006-10-19 · accessed 2026-09-21
  18. 1998 Ohio Attorney General election · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-21
  19. Solicitor General of Ohio · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-21
  20. Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board v. Pinette · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-21
  21. https://www.transparencyusa.org/oh/committee/cordraysutton-committee-562-can/contributors?cycle=2018-election-cycle
  22. Who has the money? Cordray outraises DeWine in September · Dayton Daily News · accessed 2026-09-21
  23. Mike DeWine says Attorney General Richard Cordray's campaign is funded 'almost exclusively' by party, labor unions and special counsels · PolitiFact · 2010-08-30 · accessed 2026-09-21
  24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Montgomery
  25. Ohio AG Cordray Files Suit Against GMAC Mortgage for Fraudulent Foreclosures · National Mortgage Professional · accessed 2026-09-21
  26. Ohio sues loan servicer for fraudulent practices involving hundreds of Ohio foreclosures · Cleveland 19 · accessed 2026-09-21

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