Our Never-Too-Early Guide to the 2010 Ohio Senate Race
With Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) now having announced that he's retiring from his Senate seat in this big swing state, both parties have some decent rosters of potential candidates for the race in 2010.
An Ohio Dem source walked us through the list of people who are contemplating the race on that side:
• Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, who was the party's nominee for governor in 1998 and also served as state Attorney General in the early 1990s.
• Rep. Tim Ryan, who has represented Youngstown since 2002.
• Rep. Zack Space, who was elected to deep-red House seat in 2006.
• Rep. Betty Sutton, who was elected in 2006 to the Akron-based district formerly represented by Sen. Sherrod Brown.
• Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who has represented Toledo since 1982.
• Even Rep. Dennis Kucinich has been spreading his name around. "Look, he always runs for president," the source pointed out.
All the other Dem statewide officials besides Fisher -- Gov. Ted Strickland, Sec. of State Jennifer Brunner, Atty. Gen. Richard Cordray, and Treasurer Kevin Boyce -- will not be running.
The source cautioned that there's no definite timeframe for anyone to declare their candidacy, with the potential candidates all taking the time to examine their options. One thing that people are waiting on is whether Strickland will be supporting a candidate, as well as finding out what the DSCC might have to say.
Republican names that have been floating around include former Rep. Rob Portman, former Rep. John Kasich, and former Sen. Mike DeWine, who was defeated for re-election in 2006. An Ohio Republican source told us that while it's too early to speculate right now on what might happen, we should also expect to find out very soon. "The reason I say things could move quickly, it's as not as if nobody expected this to happen," the source explained. As such, people have been quietly laying groundwork for some time, for just such a scenario.
Late Update: Hmm, maybe Sec. of State Jennifer Brunner might be in, after all. Brunner has released a statement that doesn't quite say she's in -- but doesn't say that she's out, either: "Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is grateful to be called to public service and she hopes that opportunity continues to be available to her on the future."
Kucinich would be great, but I don't see that happening. The Senate could use a few more Dems willing to stand up to the Israel blank checkers.
January 12, 2009 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kucinich wouldn't get 40% in a race for the senate in Ohio, and that is even if the Republicans ran the corpse of Jim Roades for the seat. On top of it the Republican would raise 2 times the money for a race like that then Kucinich.
Kaptur or Sutton are likely better progressive candidates and I could see either winning.
January 12, 2009 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is Joe the Plumber running?
January 12, 2009 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Should the economy still be bottomed,,,,, and in Ohio it will be, a thinking populist like Dennis could jolly well have a good shot. He can speak from the factory floor,,, or ones that were there, eloquently,,,,, he grew up in the rust belt nightmare that a strong contingent of Ohio voters have, and more importantly are, living through again,,,, thank you very much, Bushies.
Besides, anybody who always carries a copy of the Constitution and a bag of organic green tea in his pocket can't be all bad.
January 12, 2009 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Forget Kucinich; it won't happen.
Several statewide Dem officeholders mentioned: Strickland, Brunner, Cordray and Boyce are all running for re-election or retention in 2010.
Tim Ryan is, in my view, the most attractive on that list: young, energetic, progressive, good name in several areas around the state and with no apparent baggage.
Next would be Betty Sutton, but she is unknown outside her district, then Zack Space.
Kaptur has been in Congress a long time, and I can't see her moving beyond that with all her seniority in a Democratic Congress.
Lee Fisher lost his re-election as AG (ran a lousy campaign) and then lost to Taft when he ran for governor in 1998, in spite of the fact that the Repubs under Voinovich had held the governor's office for the previous 8 years...
January 12, 2009 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am not aware if Marcy Kaptur has the statewide recognition as some others but she would have a distinct advantage with Veterans. Especially this one. I think it will be Fisher.
January 12, 2009 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink