We're Looking For a Few Good Candidates...
Submitted by Nick D on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 4:51pm.
I have harped, and will continue to harp, on the importance of the Ohio Senate races in 2008. The Senators elected in 2008 will be voting on Ohio's congressional map which will be drawn after the 2010 reapportionment. That is just one of the reasons why its so imperative that we make strides towards closing the current 21-12 gap in the Senate.
One place where we have an opportunity to do that is the 2nd Senate Distrcit in the Toledo area. The district is an open seat that includes turf that voted for Sherrod Brown in 2006, places like Bowling Green, Sandusky, and Port Clinton. Unfortunately, the candidate in this district, Sylvia Washburn, dropped out, as rumors flew that she would do after the takeover of Senate leadership by Ray Miller.
Now, Mike Zickar, chairman of the Wood County Democratic Party, is looking for a few good candidates. If you're interested, e-mail him at mikezickar@yahoo.com before May 17th.
PS Quick question: Is the Ohio Senate caucus leadership helping recruit a replacement?
I'll Keep Harping...
Submitted by Nick D on Sun, 05/11/2008 - 11:02pm.
...because State Senators elected in 2008 will be voting on Ohio's 2012-2022 congressional district map, whereas State Reps elected in 2008 won't.
And I disagree with your assertion that "no amount of cash can change 21-12." Oh really? Well, with open seat contests in the 2nd (suburban Toledo), 16th (suburban Columbus), and 24th (suburban Cleveland) districts this year, all of which have at least one Democrat representing one of their component State Rep districts, I'd say with a little bit of cash, all of a sudden its 18-15, and a Democratic majority is within reach for 2010.
You've never played chess, have you? When you're down, sometimes you can't come back all at once. Sometimes you have to do things incrementally, and this is such a time.
Agreed
Submitted by dpotts on Mon, 05/12/2008 - 9:29am.
If we take no seats this election than we'll be in the same situation when the next one comes. I also think we have a fair chance at taking the 20th, where Joy Padgett is stepping down.
Harp all you want...
2008 Ohio Senate races are absolutely the least important political races around. No amount of cash is going to change 21-12, and the first group of people that recognized that are Ohio senators.
Both sides are very content to sit back and watch to see who wins the Ohio House. Neither side is willing to pull money away from those races by wasting it on a pointless senate campaign.
Jon Husted will move over to Jacobson's senate seat as he bides his time waiting for a statewide 2010 race. If his leadership holds onto the house, he'll run for gov or at least secretary of state. If Todd Book or Fred Strahorn are speaker, then Husted will probably be looking at four years of being senate president pro tem.
None of this adds up to important senate races. The answer to your question - is the Ohio Senate caucus leadership helping recruit a replacement (for Sylvia Washburn)?
Answer: No.