Statewide Races: News and Notes

Keeping up with developments in the statewide races:

Governor: All the Ohio newspapers are reporting on President Bush referring to Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R-Cincinnati) as "a nut" in the early morning hours of November 3, 2004, as revealed in Bob Woodward's new book "State of Denial." Coverage in the Columbus Dispatch is here.

The Dispatch also has this summary of a two-hour endorsement interview of the two candidates. The big surprise for me was Blackwell's comment that abortion need not be an option in the case of rape because the "morning after pill" and other medical procedures can prevent pregancy. I thought that Blackwell's conservative fundamentalist backers opposed those things? He also insisted that medical science has eliminated the necessity of ever having to choose between the life of the mother and the life of the fetus, and Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon) replied that "every physician I’ve talked with" has told him that Blackwell’s assertion "is just flat out wrong."

The Ohio Supreme Court has dismissed the Ohio Democratic Party's lawsuit to compel the disclosure of donors to Common Sense 2006, an organization that has been running ads attacking Strickland. The court wrote that it lacks jurisdiction, with final authority over the matter vested solely in the Ohio Elections Commission.

The candidates will debate on the economy in Cincinnati on Wednesday, October 4th, at 7:00 PM, and are supposed to debate for the final time in Columbus on October 16th, although the issue of who will sponsor that one is up in the air.

Attorney General: The Dayton Daily News has endorsed Auditor Betty Montgomery (R), citing her experience in running state agencies, although the language of the editorial is remarkably tepid: she has engaged in political "musical chairs," she has in the past hired "mostly capable people," and she "needs to be more active on consumer issues."

State Sen. Marc Dann (D-Liberty Township) has two excellent radio ads on the air. I particularly like the Dragnet-themed ad, although other is good too:


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Treasurer: The Akron Beacon Journal today endorsed Richard Cordray (D-Grove City) for state treasurer. The editors wrote that since being elected Franklin County Treasurer in 2002, "he has demonstrated how capable he is, becoming one of the most outstanding public officials in the state (and no, we're not exaggerating)." They call him "uncommonly energetic, focused and innovative" and praise his novel approach to collecting delinquent taxes through a tax lien certificate sale, which generated a record $55 million, and his role in creating the state's first county land bank program as a tool for revitalizing distressed properties. "Cordray has looked for ways, large and small, to make an impact, from forming a bankruptcy task force to ensure the collection of taxes owed by two corporations to promoting financial literacy, allowing many seniors to keep their homes." In this era of Republican scandal, Cordray "talks about vigilance, promising a review of operations, improved financial controls and greater transparency. What is expected is that Richard Cordray would bring the intelligence, practicality and independence that has distinguished his tenure in Franklin County."

Supreme Court: Former state senator Ben Espy (D-Columbus) told the Youngstown Vindicator that accepting money to run for a Supreme Court seat is necessary to have any chance of winning. "I don't see how you win a race without any money," Espy replied when asked about Judge William O'Neill (D-South Russell), who accepts no campaign contributions. "The Democratic Party is focused on the governor and the [U.S.] Senate races and we're at the bottom of the ballot. The party won't help him financially. They're barely helping me." The reporter goes on to review Sunday's New York Times story about how Ohio Supreme Court Justices usually rule in favor of their campaign contributors, and notes that both Espy and Judge O'Neill say there needs to be public funding of judicial races to keep politics out of the courts. O'Neill's opponent, Justice Terrence O'Donnell (R-Rocky River), has raised more than $600,000. Judge Robert Cupp (R-Lima) has raised close to $600,000, while opponent Espy has raised less than $300,000.