OHIO Taft intends to stay put until end of final term

The governor has three priorities: the state budget, tax reform and public schools funding.
COLUMBUS -- Reports that Gov. Bob Taft will leave office before his term ends in 2006 are premature, the Republican governor says.
Taft, who next year will enter the final two years of his second and final four-year term as the state's chief executive, said he's not leaving his post early, despite rumors to the contrary.
"I have absolutely no interest in doing anything else for the next two years than being governor of the state of Ohio," Taft said.
Recent speculation around Capitol Square has centered on a potential shift in state leadership based on the appointment of a possibly soon-to-be vacant lieutenant governor's position.
Appointments
Taft is expected to appoint another state treasurer soon to replace current state Treasurer Joe Deters, a southwest Ohio Republican who was elected Hamilton County prosecutor last month. Republican Lt. Gov. Jennette Bradley is considered by some political observers a front-runner to replace him.
Under the scenario, Taft could select another Republican as lieutenant governor. The new lieutenant governor could then run for governor in 2006 as an incumbent should Taft receive a federal appointment in President Bush's second administration.
Taft was Bush's state chairman during the president's re-election campaign.
But Taft deflected talk of any potential federal appointment.
"I love this job," Taft said. "We have many challenges."
Challenges
Among the challenges that Taft said he wants to tackle include helping the GOP-dominated Legislature pass a balanced two-year state budget by July 1, helping lawmakers enact reforms of the state tax system and helping address how the state funds public schools.
"I have no desire and no plans to go to Washington," Taft said. "I intend to serve out my term as governor of the state of Ohio until the end of 2006."
Taft said he has not been in contact with the Bush administration about a potential federal appointment.
Taft spokesman Orest Holubec said the governor has not decided whom he will appoint as state treasurer, though Holubec acknowledged that Bradley is a candidate. Holubec said the governor will appoint a new state treasurer by the end of the year.
Among the candidates considered when Bradley was chosen to be Taft's running mate in the 2002 gubernatorial election were former state Rep. Ann Womer Benjamin of Portage County and Janet Creighton, mayor of Canton.
Womer Benjamin, who spent four two-year terms in the Ohio House, is director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Portman of the Cincinnati area has also been mentioned in some published reports as a potential lieutenant governor candidate should Bradley be appointed state treasurer.
2006
At least three statewide Republican officeholders have indicated they want to run for governor in 2006 -- state Attorney General Jim Petro, Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell and State Auditor Betty D. Montgomery.
Potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates include Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman and U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, D-6th.
Candidates for statewide office in 2006 won't have to file nominating petitions until early that year, according to the secretary of state's office.