COLUMBUS — Gov. Bob Taft announced Wednesday that Jennette Bradley, a Columbus city councilwoman, will be his running mate in November.

        “Jennette is strong, serious and an independent voice on City Council,” Mr. Taft said, acknowledging chants of “Four more years” from the crowd.

        “I'm proud to have her on my team,” he said.

        Ms. Bradley, 49, is senior vice president of public funds for Huntington National Bank.

        “Throughout my professional career, I've worked hard to represent the interests of everyday Ohioans,” Ms. Bradley said. “As lieutenant governor, I'll be able to expand my focus to a statewide level.”

        Both the Republican and Democratic tickets will have black female members of Columbus City Council as lieutenant-governor candidates.

        Democratic candidate Tim Hagan, a former Cuyahoga County commissioner, has chosen Charleta Tavares as his running mate.

        Before this election, neither major party had nominated a black woman for lieutenant governor.

        Mr. Taft's current lieutenant governor, Maureen O'Connor, is running for the Ohio Supreme Court. Ms. O'Connor plans to remain in office until her term expires early next year.

        Ms. Bradley, the lone Republican on City Council, supports abortion rights and gay rights. She has focused on economic development, public safety and city parks during her tenure in office.

        Bob Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, said Ms. Bradley's positions on social issues should not lessen her attractiveness to GOP voters.

        “Diversity in the party as to geography and as to viewpoint is good,” he said. “That we have an airing of those views within the party is always much better.”

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