In an apparent change of heart, U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, yesterday told democratic leaders he will run for Ohio governor in 2006, despite stating four months ago he would not join the race, according to The Associated Press.
Though Strickland has not made a public announcement about whether he will run; he is expected to do so Monday, Strickland's spokesman Chad Tanner said.
Until then
we can't comment on what (Strickland's) decision is and how he reached it Tanner said.
When Strickland announced in January he would not run for governor, he said his preferred nominee was U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain, who recently decided not to run, according to The Associated Press.
Strickland, whose district includes Athens, would be an excellent gubernatorial candidate, said Susan Gwinn, chair of the Athens County Democratic Party. He genuinely cares about average Ohioans and has proven his ability to win races in rural areas, she added.
(Strickland) will bring to the governor's office a perspective that we need which is worrying about the little guy
Gwinn said. We have an administration right now in Columbus -a governor's office -that is more concerned with giving tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy rather than people who can hardly afford to eat.
The only Democrat who officially has declared his candidacy is Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman. Dan Trevas, director of the Coleman for Ohio Campaign, said the mayor is undaunted by the prospect of facing Strickland in the 2006 primary.
Mayor Coleman's experience creating jobs
setting priorities and balancing the budget for the largest city in the state makes him the most qualified candidate in this race
Trevas said.
So far, three Republicans have declared candidacies -Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, state Attorney General Jim Petro and state Auditor Betty Montgomery.
But others still have plenty of time to declare their candidacy. Former Ohio Attorney General Lee Fisher, who opposed Gov. Bob Taft in the 1998 gubernatorial race, might consider running again, said Dennis White, Ohio Democratic Party chairman.
I'm very happy that folks like Ted
Mike Coleman and Lee Fisher want to step up to the plate and hit a home run for the Democratic Party
White said.
Matt Cox, director of the Citizens for Jim Petro campaign, said Strickland would be a formidable candidate
but declined further comment.
Montgomery's campaign spokesman, Mark Weaver, said they welcomed Strickland into the race, but stressed that running for a statewide office is different from a congressional campaign and Strickland's lack of experience would be a major hindrance for him.
He's going to find out it's a big state
Weaver said. It will be quite a challenge.
