Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat from Cleveland, designated a treasurer for an impending gubernatorial run on Monday.
Kucinich, who did not respond to requests for comment on Monday, would become the seventh Democrat in the gubernatorial primary. Fox News, where Kucinich formerly worked as a contributor, reported Kucinich would make the run official next week.
Kucinich brings a national profile, making him one of the top contenders for the spot along with former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray.
The paperwork filed Monday is just the first step in a potential gubernatorial campaign for Kucinich, who would still need to designate a running mate and file petitions to run for office. But it allows him to raise money in a race that could be very costly.
Kucinich, 71, served eight terms in Congress before losing to U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a fellow Democrat from Toledo, after redistricting.
Most of the attention on the Democratic side of the race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. John Kasich has been on Cordray, including support from Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and other national figures. Cordray declined to comment on Kucinich's possible candidacy.
Tom Sutton, political science professor at Baldwin Wallace University, said Kucinich adds some flair to the race and could very well win.
"People were putting a lot on Richard Cordray when he jumped in, but there you have to distinguish between party leadership and primary voters," Sutton said. "Even on just the name issue, Dennis is better known."
Kucinich brings a populist zeal to a race that's largely been devoid of a Bernie Sanders-esque figure. That could make him appealing to the same voters who voted for both Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Some of Kucinich's actions could turn off Democratic primary voters. In January, he was photographed with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad while on a fact-finding mission.
In February, he defended Gen. Mike Flynn after Flynn resigned his post as national security advisor. Flynn was later indicted as part of the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
But Kucinich's unapologetic personality and progressive stances could resonate with a reinvigorated Democratic base. The former congressman has been a staunch opponent of the North American Free Trade Agreement and a proponent of single-payer health care, both ideas that are popular with the Democratic base in Ohio.
Kucinich hasn't run for office since his 2012 loss to Kaptur and hasn't reported any contributions, according to the secretary of state's office.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said Kucinich was welcome to join the race. The party is vetting candidates this year and Pepper said Kucinich is aware of the process, but hasn't submitted any materials yet.
Kucinich enters a race that includes Cordray, former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, former state Rep. Connie Pillich, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni.
"At this point, Dennis Kucinich entering this race doesn't affect our path at all," said Schiavoni, who added he thought 25 to 30 percent of the Democratic primary electorate could take the nomination.
Sutton, Pillich, Whaley and O'Neill either declined or did not respond to a request for comment.
Columbus reporter Jeremy Pelzer contributed to this report.