Here's some more big news in terms of the U.S. Senate:
http://www.cleveland.com/...
Ted Strickland turns on fundraising machine: The clearest sign yet that the Democratic former governor will run for U.S Senate? His team is sending emails seeking contributions, reports David Skolnick of the Youngstown Vindicator.
"In emails to donors to Strickland's campaign, [Strickland aide Katie] Hough wrote the contributions help 'as the campaign gets moving,'" Skolnick writes.
Hough "also wrote that the campaign has 'a major filing deadline on March 31.' The emails ask that checks be sent to 'Strickland for Senate,' and gives the Ohio Democratic Party's headquarters in Columbus as the mailing address," Skolnick adds.
Raising money is no guarantee a full-fledged campaign will emerge. P.G. Sittenfeld, the Cincinnati city councilman already seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman in 2016, began seeking cash several weeks before declaring his candidacy. Strickland must file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission within 15 days of raising his first $5,000. He hasn't done that yet.
But all indications have been that Strickland is leaning toward the run.
Now speaking for Team Strickland: Dennis Willard. The jack-of-all trades Democratic consultant, whose clients include Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and the ResponsibleOhio marijuana legalization campaign, confirmed to Ohio Politics Roundup that he is assisting Strickland's exploration effort.
Willard also confirmed that Strickland is raising money. - Northeast Ohio Media Group, 2/17/15
Strickland would be a great candidate to go up against Portman, who will not be easy to defeat. Still a very winnable race here so stay tuned.