CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Clarence Mingo, the Franklin County auditor who is seen as a rising Republican star in Ohio, is now openly exploring a run for statewide office.

Mingo has hired Michael Hartley, a veteran of Gov. John Kasich's political operation and president of Swing State Strategies, as a general consultant.

"I've known Auditor Mingo for nearly a decade," Hartley said Monday in an emailed statement announcing his arrival on the Mingo team. "Over that time, Clarence has demonstrated the leadership, vision and experience that our state needs moving forward. I am excited to work with Team Mingo as we introduce him to Ohio's citizens as one of the next generation of conservative leaders."

Hartley's email did not specify which office Mingo might seek in 2018, but Mingo is widely believed to be preparing a run for state treasurer. The incumbent, Republican Josh Mandel, is term-limited and likely to run for U.S. Senate that year

Mingo will travel the state in the coming months to solicit feedback.

"I am thrilled to have Michael leading our efforts.", Mingo said in the Hartey email. "Michael's reputation with Republican leaders throughout our state is second to none. His experience of working on six statewide campaigns in Ohio and assembling a top-notch 88-county statewide team, will be invaluable to us."

Mingo, a U.S. Army veteran of the Gulf War, has served as auditor in the Columbus-anchored Franklin County since 2009. Republicans in Ohio -- and nationally -- have long seen him as a top prospect for higher office. In 2012, he was Ohio's only black delegate to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, where he had a brief moment on stage one night to call the convention session to a close.