Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman will face competition in his bid to become the 2006 Democratic gubernatorial candidate.
U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, announced yesterday he will run for Ohio governor, despite saying earlier he would not join the race.
Strickland said he changed his position after urging from Ohioans, contending he is the candidate most likely to achieve victory and because current leadership is inadequate.
Continuous interaction with Ohioans, such as a visit to a school in Belmont County where teaching positions and student programs had been cut, convinced Strickland he had the responsibility to do everything I could to change course and get Ohio back on track
he said.
I have experience both in and out of government that I think would help me be a good governor Strickland said, citing his congressional service and modest background as the son of a steel worker.
He will run only for governor because Ohio does not allow candidates to run in two races at once, Strickland said.
After announcing in January that he would not run for governor, Strickland said his preferred candidate was U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain, who recently decided not to run. Strickland said Brown's announcement had no bearing on his own decision to run.
I've felt for some time that Sherrod was not likely to do it -his recent announcement was not a factor in my decision Strickland said.
Brown said he decided not to run, because he loves his job. Also, he said he feels he could serve Ohio better in Congress than he could as governor.
Though Strickland's decision to enter the gubernatorial race will be a loss for his district, which includes Athens, all Ohioans could gain if he wins because they are ready for change, Brown said.
I think there's going to be a Democratic governor in 2007
Brown said. I think it's going to be Ted Strickland
and I think the people of this state will welcome the new direction.
One advantage Strickland said he has in the race is that he has won congressional seats in districts in southern Ohio that normally do not elect Democrats to statewide offices.
But Republicans are undaunted and say Strickland's record will speak for itself. Though many call him a moderate Democrat, Strickland's positions on issues such as social security and foreign policy are as far left as those of Massachusetts senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, said Jason Mauk, an Ohio Republican Party spokesman.
I'd be surprised if the majority of constituents in his district actually know where he stands on key issues
Mauk said. Congressman Strickland certainly has a record that is at odds with the majority of Ohioans; we look forward to sharing that record with the voters.
Three Republican officeholders also have announced candidacies -Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio Auditor Betty Montgomery and Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro.
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