Former Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland will reportedly challenge Republican Sen. Rob Portman in this critical Senate race
Wow.
The Vindicator is reporting that former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland
will run for the U.S. Senate against Republican Sen. Rob Portman, though Strickland has yet to say anything publicly. Sources close to the former governor say he isn't going to announce until February.
Assuming the reports are true, Strickland is a big get for Team Blue. He has a reputation as a great campaigner: While he lost re-election in 2010 to John Kasich, he managed to keep things very close in a hellish year for Buckeye State Democrats. Strickland also is a proven vote-getter in rural eastern Ohio, an area that has turned against most Democrats in recent cycles.
Strickland will join Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld in the primary and will start as the clear frontrunner. Rep. Tim Ryan has also been mulling a run, but he's unlikely to challenge his old ally now. Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and former Rep. Betty Sutton have also been talked about as candidates, though they probably won't want to take on Strickland.
Even with Strickland in, this is going to be a tough race for Democrats. Portman isn't an exciting candidate but he's one of the most formidable fundraisers in politics, and he'll have the advantage of incumbency. But Strickland gives his party a better shot at flipping this seat and perhaps the entire Senate with it. We'll be keeping a very close eye on this contest over at Daily Kos Elections as things develop.
10:55 AM PT: Henry Gomez of the Plain Dealer reports that Strickland hasn't made up his mind, but is "leaning toward running." We'll see if Strickland himself says anything.
Sat Jan 31, 2015 at 1:33 PM PT: On Saturday, David Skolnick of the Vindicator reported that Strickland has indeed decided to run and spent Friday talking to donors and supporters. Throughout all this, Strickland himself has been silent.