Welcome to O'Grady for Franklin County Commisioner

John O'Grady is our Democratic Candidate for Franklin County Commissioner:

John O'Grady is the endorsed Democratic candidate for the Commission seat being vacated by Mary Jo Kilroy. He is endorsed by Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman. John also has the personal endorsements of Commissioners Mary Jo Kilroy, Paula Brooks, and Marilyn Brown.

Why John O'Grady is the right choice:

One word: jobs.

When John announced his candidacy, he said, “This election is about continuing the economic prosperity of Central Ohio, even as our state faces tough economic times. I've always believed that bringing people together is the best way to get real results for Franklin County.

“As your next Franklin County Commissioner, I pledge to work with everyone – from township trustees and county officials to business and labor leaders – to bring good-paying jobs to Franklin County.”

About John O'Grady:

John O'Grady was elected Franklin County Clerk of Courts in 2000. He was re-elected in 2004. Prior to serving as our Democratic Clerk of Courts, John worked as an administrator for State Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow for nine years.

John O'Grady has been actively involved in charitable organizations for a number of years. John is the past President and current member of the Board of Trustees of The Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio. John is active in the Catholic Church and is a lector at his parish church, St. Brendan's.

John O'Grady has been married for 13 years to Pamela Hykes O'Grady, who serves as Director of Legislative and Community Affairs for Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. They have four children: Elizabeth, Jack, Patrick, and the newest member of the family, Erin O'Grady born on St. Patrick's Day 2008.

John O'Grady — An experienced and dedicated public servant committed to providing the leadership to improve the quality of life for the residents of Franklin County .

When John announced his candidacy, he said, “this election is about continuing the economic prosperity of Central Ohio , even as our state faces tough economic times. I've always believed that bringing people together is the best way to get real results for Franklin County .”

As your next Franklin County Commissioner, John pledges to work with everyone—from township trustees and city and county officials, to business and labor leaders—to attract employers and bring good-paying jobs to Franklin County.

EXPERIENCE

John O'Grady has completed nearly two terms as the Franklin County Clerk of Courts, an office with a budget of over $12.5 million. When O'Grady became Clerk, his immediate focus was tightening fiscal controls in the wake of the fraud and corruption perpetrated by a former Clerk who stole almost $450,000 taxpayer dollars over a 13-year period. O'Grady brought the accounting principles he learned as a business owner in the private sector to the Clerk's office.

Among John's accomplishments as Clerk of Courts:

Creating the position of Internal Auditor to oversee the financial practices of the organization, and to institute corrections when necessary

Instituting cash-balancing standards, and implementing computer programs that consolidated financial processes and integrated daily book-keeping functions

Competitively bidding Clerk bank contracts, which increased interest earnings and office revenue over $500,000

COMMITMENT

O'Grady is committed to bringing the same fiscal management to the Board of Commissioners.

“The Commissioner's office has maintained a Triple-A bond rating, which is very important,” O'Grady said. “Not only does it save the county money, but it speaks to our financial stability. This is very attractive to companies looking to set up shop or relocate to the Central Ohio area.”

As Commissioner, O'Grady pledges to maintain tight financial controls over county finances so that, even during the current economic downturn, Franklin County remains economically viable—and a desirable place to visit, work and live.

EXPERIENCE

As Franklin County Clerk of Courts, John developed a reputation for working well with fellow office holders regardless of their political affiliation, as well as with local leaders of industry and community organizations.

In addition to his experience as a small business-owner, John previously served as Administrative Assistant and Liaison for State Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow. John also worked as a lobbyist for The Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, and as Field Director for statewide candidates and ballot initiatives.

COMMITMENT

John's wide range of professional experience, as well as his to his aptitude for team-building and collaboration, positions John as the best candidate for Commissioner.

“It is essential that all the stake-holders, from government, business and labor, work in tandem to make Franklin County a desirable place to work and to live,” O'Grady said. “As Commissioner, I will reach out to all interested parties for input and assistance in sustaining our high quality of life in Central Ohio .”

EXPERIENCE

As Franklin County Clerk of Courts, O'Grady is acutely aware of the alarming rise in the number of foreclosures in Franklin County . From 2001—Clerk O'Grady's first year in office—until last year, there has been a 75% rise in the number of new foreclosure cases filed with the Court of Common Pleas.

O'Grady and his staff have shouldered the additional load without adding additional staff members to the County payroll.

COMMITMENT

“ Fighting foreclosures is key to everything we want to do as a county, “ O'Grady stated. “This crisis undermines job creation, threatens regional development, and robs those most in need of vital human services.”

“Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy has taken the first regional steps to face this challenge and has asked me to continue the fight,” he added.

EXPERIENCE

During his tenure as the Franklin County Clerk of Courts, O'Grady brought the office into the new century by making considerable updates to the I.T. environment. New technology has provided the general public with much easier access to the public record.

Since 2001, the Clerk of Courts has revamped its web site to make the court's docket easier to read and more user-friendly. In addition, new equipment and software was implemented to allow for electronic scanning of court documents and storage of records.

At this time, the Clerk's office is working on a system to enable attorneys to file documents electronically, directly into the Clerk's computer system.

COMMITMENT

John is committed to working to lift every city, township and village in Franklin County with the jobs of the future.

“ Now is the time to invest in the future of our region. We must devote resources to roads and rail at Rickenbacker, redevelopment of Cooper Stadium, and revitalization of brownfields sites across the county.”

— John O'Grady will promote green jobs with the 315 Research Corridor, partnerships like the Big Darby Accord, and new green county facilities.
“By investing in the families of Central Ohio , we lay the right groundwork for the future of our region. Putting emphasis on education will pay big dividends for individuals and families, and for Franklin County as a whole.”

— John O'Grady will focus on expanding access to early childhood learning centers and after-school care for working parents.

“The money we spend today will allow for the creation of the jobs of tomorrow.”

EXPERIENCE

John O'Grady graduated from Ohio Dominican University with a B.A. in Business Management. O'Grady served for six years on the Board of Trustees of the Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio (EFCO); he was Board president for 2002-2003, and recently chaired the EFCO Fund Development committee. He is an active supporter of programs that promote hands-on educational experiences for young people, and is an honorary board member of Kid's Voting, Central Ohio .

COMMITMENT

O'Grady has partnered with the Columbus Public Schools to participate in mentoring programs, including the Guest Reader's program, Principal for a Day, and Groundhog Job Shadow Day.

Mr. O'Grady is the founder of the Hearts Over Clubs Charity Fund, a non-profit group that benefits the families of heart disease victims. He is a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, and serves as a lector at St. Brendan the Navigator Church .

What others are saying about John O'Grady

County Commission President Marilyn Brown – “I'm excited to work with John because he has the talent and experience to effectively serve the people of Franklin County .”

County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy – “I deeply respect John as a colleague and know he will keep Franklin County moving forward as a County Commissioner .”

County Commissioner Paula Broo k s – “John O'Grady is a dedicated, principled leader who will continue bringing peole together on the County Commission .”

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman - “John O'Grady's character was forged by his family through their long tradition of public service, and he's keeping it fresh with new ideas, optimism and energy. O'Grady is a no-nonsense leader for Franklin County's future and will be a great partner with Columbus and our suburbs as we build a new era of regional cooperation and job growth.”