OHIO Republican gains votes to lead Senate

Harris' chief rival dropped out of the race.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- The Republican expected to lead the Ohio Senate next year pledges to work hard to work for GOP Senate candidates this fall and to try to ensure a smooth transition next year.
State Sen. Bill M. Harris, an Ashland County Republican who apparently locked up enough votes Wednesday to ensure that he'll be the Senate leader next year, said he plans to work closely with current Senate President Doug White to protect the GOP's 22-11 edge over Democrats in the upper chamber in this November's elections.
White, a Manchester Republican, is being forced from the Senate at the end of the year because of term limits.
Harris' chief rival for the Senate presidency, state Sen. Randy Gardner, White and Harris met Tuesday at Harris' residence outside of Ashland.
Gardner, a Bowling Green Republican, and Harris spoke by phone later Tuesday and again Wednesday morning where Gardner confirmed to Harris that he was dropping out of the race and throwing his support to Harris, Harris said.
Candidacy withdrawn
The race between Harris and Gardner for the Senate's top spot began in earnest earlier this month after state Sen. Jeff Jacobson, a suburban Dayton Republican who had been the former heir apparent, withdrew his candidacy amid publicized links between him and two GOP political operatives under federal and state investigation in connection with possible campaign-finance irregularities.
Harris declined to discuss reports that the contest between himself and Gardner had been close, saying the matter was over.
The Senate's top Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Gregory DiDonato, said he believes Harris to be a quality leader.
& quot;He'll be upfront with you, & quot; DiDonato of Dennison said of Harris. & quot;When he can work with you, he will. & quot;
Harris, 69, was appointed to his Senate seat in 2000 and was elected in November 2000 to finish the remaining two years of the term of former Republican Sen. Dick Schafrath who resigned to take a position in the Ohio Department of Health.
Harris was elected to his first full four-year Senate term in 2002.
Before serving in the Senate, Harris served in the Ohio House of Representatives.