COLUMBUS Springer drops plan to run

Springer promised to remain active in the state's Democratic Party.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- In the end, Jerry Springer just couldn't separate himself from his trash talk show and his participation in politics.
Ending months of speculation, Springer said Wednesday he is staying out of the 2004 U.S. Senate race for the seat held by incumbent Republican George V. Voinovich.
The talk show host said he is forgoing a chance to seek the Democratic nomination because of what he said was political baggage connected to his popular, self-titled television show that often features sexually related topics.
"There has to be a separation between the show and my participation in elected politics," Springer told a packed news conference in downtown Columbus.
Springer, 59, who has had "The Jerry Springer Show" for about 13 years, said he would have run if he believed his political message could transcend the notoriety of his syndicated TV show.
"This can't be about me," Springer said. "It isn't about any politician. It has to be about the people we're trying to help."
Political role
Springer, who had filed Senate candidacy papers, said he'd remain active in the Ohio Democratic Party and pledged "to find other areas to be helpful." He also didn't rule out a future political bid but said it would only be if he no longer hosted his TV show. Springer said his television contract runs through May 2004.
Springer has spent about $1 million of his own money in conducting a seven-month exploratory campaign trying to decide whether he should run.
He has traveled to organized labor gatherings and county Democratic Party functions around the state trying to gauge the viability of a potential Senate campaign.
Springer also had bought airtime for infomercials about himself in several cities around the country and on Ohio and West Virginia television stations that cover eastern Ohio markets such as Youngstown and Steubenville.
A Springer candidacy could have led to a Democratic primary involving state Sen. Eric Fingerhut of Cleveland, who has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
What Fingerhut said
Fingerhut said Springer's announcement will hopefully mean less attention to Springer's celebrity and more attention on substantive topics in the race.
"The day of Jerry Springer running for the Senate is over. Now is the time to focus on the issues," Fingerhut said.
Dennis White, Ohio Democratic Party chairman, said he wasn't surprised by Springer's belief that his TV show could have been a political liability.
"Everyone knew, including Jerry, that his show is a problem if he wants to run for office," White said.
Voinovich, a former Cleveland mayor and Ohio governor, couldn't be reached, but through his campaign issued a statement saying that Springer's announcement was an issue for Democrats.
"My focus continues to be where it should be -- on the economy, health care and homeland security," Voinovich's statement said.
Springer was elected to Cincinnati City Council in 1971 and was elected mayor of Cincinnati in 1977. He unsuccessfully ran in the Democratic primary for governor in 1982.