CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In their close race for Ohio's governorship, Democrat Richard Cordray has talked about mass transit more often and more specifically than Republican Mike DeWine.

The issue is timely. Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and its counterparts around the state are struggling with sharp cuts in state funds and with a state deal waiving sales taxes on Medicaid payments for managed care. RTA is also dealing with two scandals over healthcare insurance.

In early August, Cordray used his second policy statement of the general election campaign to call for a bond issue for transit and other infrastructure needs. "Too many Ohioans lack access to jobs, education and health care," he said.

Cordray said he'd ask voters to approve bonds for roads, bridges, transit links, sewers, water lines, broadband and more. A policy advisor said the issue would range from $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion.

Asked about the issue, DeWine spokesman Joshua Eck wrote, "Mike DeWine understands that public transportation and mass transit is important, specifically in our cities, to ensuring people have access to education, jobs, and healthcare."

DeWine has proposed state tax breaks for opportunity zones. "This way," said Eck, "we can bring jobs and services closer to where people live."

In July, media outlets quoted DeWine telling the Ohio Association of Regional Councils that he'd appoint a blue-ribbon commission of citizens and experts to make quick recommendations on infrastructure. He did not rule out a tax hike in response.

Cordray replied "Blue-ribbon commissions are often an excuse for not being ready to lead." He ruled out a tax hike, saying the state could repay the bonds with expected revenues, as it has done with similar bonds in the past.

State funding for transit has plummeted from about $45 million in 2001 to less than $7 million now, amounting to 1 percent of Ohio's transportation budget. According to Policy Matters Ohio last year, Ohio's transit ridership ranks 14th among the states but its state funding near the bottom.

Cordray wants Ohio to join 25 other states in creating a dedicated source of transit funds. He also wants to promote walkable neighborhoods, carpooling and other means toward mobility. He plans to re-establish an office in Washington, D.C., to lobby for transit funds and other Ohio needs.

Transit is often seen as an urban need. Twenty-seven of Ohio's 88 counties have no public transit. But Cordray wants to extend it to rural areas, where people tend to live further from vital destinations.

Leaders of the advocacy group Transit Columbus sent a questionnaire on the issue to all four gubernatorial candidates on the Nov. 6, 2018, ballot, including the Green Party's Constance Gadell-Newton and the Libertarians' Travis Irvine. They say only Cordray replied. The guide is at transitcolumbus.org/vote. Click on each question to see Cordray's answer.

Stu Nicholson of All Aboard Ohio, which promotes trains, plans to help circulate the link to the voter guide. He said, "Mobility is the essence of our freedom." He said both leading candidates seem to acknowledge the issue, but only Cordray has made specific proposals.

Clevelanders for Public Transit plans to help, too. Chairman Chris Stocking said, "We need a robust public transit system to connect people with jobs."