COLUMBUS — Auditor of State Dave Yost announced his candidacy for attorney general Tuesday, promising to “fight for right.”

“As a former prosecutor, and as your auditor of state, I have fought to find the truth and to bring forth justice,” Yost said. “I will continue that fight as your attorney general — in the courts or in city hall, from the streets to the Statehouse.”

Yost said his top priorities as attorney general will include fighting human trafficking, the opioid epidemic and supporting law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties.

Yost served for eight years as the Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney where he successfully tried the county’s first capital murder case, as well as the largest drug ring in county history. He earned a reputation for rooting out political corruption, and was chosen to serve as a special prosecutor in multiple counties.

Yost’s work as auditor of state continued his fight against corruption, leading to criminal convictions for more than 110 former public officials. His team’s work put our children first by investigating the Columbus City Schools data scrubbing scandal and cracking down on the mismanagement in charter schools.

“I feel as if I’ve prepared my whole life for this job,” Yost said. “As your attorney general, I will never give up, and I will never give in — I will always fight for right.”

Yost filed his annual financial report today, raising $486,267 with a cash on hand of $1,084,219.82.