Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, who is running for the U.S. Senate next year, joined Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown yesterday in calling on General Motors to reconsider plans to produce cars in China, Mexico and South Korea for import to the United States.

Brunner also questioned the economic rationale that GM used to decide which of its dealerships will remain open.

"When America's taxpayers are footing the bill to the tune of billions to keep these car giants afloat, they deserve to know how and why the money is being spent," Brunner said in a release. "While cuts may be inevitable in the process, decisions to manufacture cars overseas and sell them in the U.S., while cutting jobs at dealerships who sell them, may be just short of ludicrous to American taxpayers."

In her release, Brunner also noted that she and her husband own a GM truck and a Chrysler car.

Brunner, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and state Rep. Tyrone Yates all have announced plans to seek the Democratic nomination next May for the Senate seat that George V. Voinovich is vacating, and trade and the future of the domestic auto industry are critical issues in the Democratic bastion of northeastern Ohio.