Ohio's Races in 2010
Rob Portman for US Senate
It appears that Rob will not have a primary challenge. That is good news!
Bob Paduchik is his campaign manager. Anyone interested in helping with the campaign should contact Eric Toy at 513-519-7845
Now this is good news in a way in that Rob does not have to spend money against a possible primary opponent and can establish a war chest to take on what will be a huge 527 backed Dem campaign. However, for some, Rob Portman is still not quite known. Sure, many of us in SW Ohio know Mr. Portman, especially those in his district. However, for people that still have questions about him, where is the refining edge that a primary opponent can often serve as, to push Rob, to get him to clarify, etc.? While it means no bloody maiming primaries like Blackwell v. Petro, it does leave some questions.
Our next Governor?
Kevin Coughlin has announced his candidacy.
John Kasich has all but officially announced that he is running for Governor. In my February edition, I mentioned that Mr. Kasich has not yet repaired a rift with the gun lobby that was created when he voted for the failed Clinton gun banin 1994. His operatives have informed me that Mr. Kasich has a history of voting with the gun lobby. They are working on assembling a list of his gun related votes to prove that he is pro-Second Amendment. That's great! I'm looking forward to including that data in a future edition. Mr. Kasich's days in Congress are best remembered for his fiscal conservatism and being a budget hawk.
Todd Kritzwiseris a local candidate who is also seeking the office. He can be contacted at 937-444-Ohio (6446). Todd lives in Brown County's Sterling Twp. near Williamsburg. His campaign sent me the following:
Emerging from the small town of Waverly, Ohio, Todd Kritzwiser is not the average career politician. He feels compelled to enter the arena of politics to bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to restore the discarded values of Ohio's past. He is a graduate of the Southern Ohio School of Ministry and the Wagner Leadership Institute. He is co-founder of King's Way Fellowship in Batavia, Ohio and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Todd makes a lifestyle of leading and caring for people. He is a leader among leaders and currently serves as a director and consultant for nonprofit and for-profit corporations alike. Todd and his wife Jenny have been married for 16 years and live in Williamsburg, Ohio. They have two sons, Gabe and Levi, ages 11 and 5.
Todd believes bigger government and higher taxes are never the answer to social issues. Todd strives to empower individual and business success through a commitment to hard work and financial responsibility. His leadership is built on experience and accountability and he will draw from that experience to help restore the dignity and standing of hard working Ohioans. Todd lives by Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Todd will bring wisdom, leadership, and understanding to Ohio government and will work to restore confidence in Ohio's future.
OK, first, to Mr. Kasich, CRAP OR GET OFF THE POT ALREADY! If you check out Kyle Sisk's blog, he has elucidated a fear many of us have regarding Mr. Kasich and his continued delaying of the official kick off of the campaign. Is he really serious? Is he pulling a Fred Thompson? Why aren't there officers and treasurer designates of the campaign?
Regarding Mr. Coughlin, I think he should consider a run against Jon Husted for Secretary of State (we will get to Residency Question Jon later) as Husted will be a disaster of a candidate, though he would be less of a disaster than current SecState Jennifer "Queen of Moving the GoalPosts" Brunner, and certainly better than anyone the party of "plumbing joe the plumber's info, datagate, pimpof ohio faith based gate, and culture of carousing (note Marc Dann, et.al.)" can come up with. Coughlin is a a rising star in the party, and should be placed above a hack and non-principled jock boob like Husted. I think if Kasich gets in, Coughlin will be running a losing race, but it will get his face out there.
Regarding Todd, he sounds like a great guy. He has some great credentials and ideas. However, he doesn't have a snowball's chance in Havana of winning. This is the very essence of a protest campaign, and while it is noble to think Todd wants to serve, I would urge him to use his resources on a more local level first, build a base and political capital, and then ascend. But, he should be a great sounding board for those on the Christian Right who may have questions for Mr. Coughlin and Mr. Kasich and may pin them down on issues that the Christian Right cares about.
Auditor of State
Mary Taylor will run for re-election. It is very important that we support her and retain this Apportionment Board seat. Mary is a great lady and has been doing a fabulous job for Ohio.
State Treasurer
Josh Mandel has announced his candidacy. We met at the Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner. Josh is a very impressive young man.
My friend the operative has good instincts here. Mary Taylor needs to be Auditor again. Maybe in 2014, she can run for governor or Senator, but for now, we need here right where she is, where she is putting out a record as one of the best Auditors we have had, and where she is the Republican voice in the Executive branch in Ohio.
Regarding Mr. Mandel, he is impressive. He is an Iraq War vet, as well as a distinguished member of the General Assembly. And, I think Jill Miller Zimon, humorless humdrum of another blog may actually support Josh since he is her current representative, and it would get him out of her district, since she seems to have a personal and primal animus toward him. Maybe it is compensation for a secret crush? I don't know. However, Mr. Mandel would be a fantastic treasurer and would bring honor and integrity back to the office formerly held by DICK Cordray.
Secretary of State
Jon Husted contacted me to let me know that he is campaigning for the office. Jon is a State Senator and former Speaker of the Ohio House. He also has an impressive history of being able to raise money.
Sandy O'Brien is also campaigning for the job. Sandy defeated Jennette Bradleyin a primary for State Treasurer in 2006. Unfortunately, she lost to Richard Cordray in the general election. Sandy is a great lady and has a contagious smile. Once you meet her, you'll be impressed.
OK, here is where we need someone like Kevin Coughlin to realize he is needed to bolster the ticket, instead of primarying against Kasich. Jon Husted is a boob of a human being, a dumb jock manipulator who took us from being a majority party in both houses of the General Assembly and manhugged his way with the governor to us being the minority party in the State House. Jon is a contemptible self serving individual, who doesn't even really reside in his own district, and who left other candidates out to dry by hoarding campaign money for himself. He was given the keys to the Ferrari far to young and wrecked the precision machine into minority status. He does not need to make the office of treasurer another of his political wastelands.
Sandy O'Brien is a sweet lady, and I don't know how she has been preparing herself since her disastrous campaign against Cordray a few years back. If she hasn't gotten more political capital and political insight, we are not looking good with her running for the position either. This race is one that really troubles me.
Attorney General
One of Dave Yost'soperatives contacted me. Mr. Yost is interested in seeking the office of Attorney General. Mr. Yost was my favorite to run last time. He dropped out and chose to support Mike Crites.
Mike Crites may be interested in running for this office again. I've met Mike and heard him speak. He is very impressive and has had a distinguished career.
I've also heard that former Senator Mike DeWine is interested in running. Mr. DeWine was John McCain's Ohio campaign chairman and performed admirably in that role.
OK, regarding Dave Yost. I don't know him very well, I can't say anything good or bad about him. However, if my operative thinks he is good, then that is a plus. Mike Crites ran a helluva campaign for someone many thought was just a placeholder candidate initially. He did quite well in SW Ohio, and did better than expected statewide. I think he should be given all due consideration for the post. Lastly, to Mr. Mike DeWine, STAY HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We do not want nor need the RINOs of the past to save us. If we are going to reach out to new voters with fresh faces, the last thing we need is Mike DeWine. And I disagree with my friend the operative regarding DeWine's handling of the McCain campaign, unless you are saying he was less of a trainwreck than other states. Mike, keep the flannel shirt in storage and stay home!
Matt's Chat
I am glad Mark posted this as I always have a hard time trying to decide just what I want to pull from this particular source...
Let me add one thing...I like Mike Crites for AG again, but if he isn't willing or able to run a bigger campaign, I'm willing to give Dave Yost another vote of confidence. Read his blog to learn more about this terrific candidate.
