Though the election for Ohio's next governor is two years away, candidates already are throwing their hats in the ring and gearing up for what is sure to be a fierce battle.
The list of contenders for the top elected position in the state spans a wide political spectrum. Three of the state's highest-ranking Republicans will most likely fight it out in the 2006 primary, while the Democrats range from a U.S. representative to a talk show host.
Current Gov. Bob Taft cannot run for re-election in 2006 because of term limits. This leaves the door wide open for a variety of candidates.
Herbert Weisberg, who has been a political science professor at The Ohio State University for 30 years, said each party is facing problems with whom they are going to have run in the next gubernatorial race.
Clearly it is a battle among the Republicans in Ohio
Weisberg said. The Democrats have not been able to put up any plausible candidates. It is hard for Democrats to get in the race.
The Republicans
The Republicans have been hurt by recent fund-raising scandals, and the question is whether the voters will remember that in 2006 or if it will be old news, Weisberg said. Speaker of the Ohio House Larry Householder, R-Glenford, two of his top aides and other prominent Republicans are being investigated for campaign-finance irregularities and contract fraud.
Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell intends to run for governor in 2006, said his spokesman Carlo LoParo. He refused to comment further about the gubernatorial race. Blackwell is a former mayor of Cincinnati, treasurer of the state, undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
State Auditor Betty Montgomery also is considering a bid for governor but is committed to her current job, said her spokesman Mark Weaver. He did not wish to speak any more about the race at this time. Montgomery's previous political experience includes criminal prosecutor, state senator and attorney general of Ohio.
Attorney General Jim Petro said he has decided to run for governor in 2006. Petro will reveal his plans for the state of Ohio in the coming months, said his spokesman Matt Cox. Petro worked as a Cuyahoga County commissioner, a representative to the Ohio House and the state auditor, before becoming attorney general in 2003.
The top three high-ranking Ohio officials all work together and were reluctant to comment.
Jason Mauk, spokesman for the Ohio Republican Party said the party's official policy is to not endorse any non-incumbent in a partisan election.
After the primary in 2006 we will vote to make an endorsement based on the election Mauk said.
The Democrats
Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Dan Trevas said the party also would not throw support behind any one candidate in the primary and would formalize plans for 2006.
Weisberg said the major problem the Democrats face is their candidates are only known in one part of the state.
On the Democratic ticket U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, confirmed he is thinking about running for governor. Strickland has served in Congress since 1997. Prior to that he worked as a minister, psychologist and college professor.
I have not reached a final decision yet but will decide for sure by the end of the year
Strickland said.
Strickland has many criticisms of the Taft administration, starting with the leadership in the Ohio Legislature.
The House and Senate have ignored serious problems facing Ohio. There is a lack of strong
decisive leadership
Strickland said.
The most important issues facing Ohio are jobs, education and health care, he said.
There has been a woefully inadequate response to the health-care crisis
Strickland said.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman would make his final decision about running for governor in January, said his spokesman Greg Haas.
(Coleman) is clearly looking at it and thinking about (running). He is taking steps to keep himself in play
Haas said.
Coleman has been the mayor of Columbus since January 2000. Prior to becoming mayor he served as president of Columbus City Council as a council member.
Mayor Coleman is well-known
but only in the Columbus area
Weisberg said. Jerry Springer is the only (potential candidate) well-known
and it may not be for the right thing.
Talk show host and former mayor of Cincinnati Jerry Springer served on Cincinnati's City Council for five terms and made an unsuccessful bid for governor of Ohio in 1982. Springer said if he does become a candidate, he would quit his show.
The show will be off the air for about a year and a half (before I run)
