DAVID SKOLNICK | Politics Strickland still mulls gubernatorial run

U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland is closer to a decision on running for governor in 2006, and appears to be leaning toward seeking the post.
Strickland, of Lisbon, D-6th, is meeting with Democratic, labor and business leaders throughout the state, spending time meeting with key people in Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Cleveland and Columbus.
"I don't know if it's to line up support, although I'd welcome it," Strickland said. "Right now, it's to let people know I have this interest and to get feedback from them to see if I'd be a good, viable candidate. It's an exploratory type of activity."
The Columbus Dispatch conducted a poll earlier this year asking Ohio Democrats which of six prospective gubernatorial candidates they'd support. U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown of Lorain, a former secretary of state, finished at the top of the poll with 40 percent. Strickland was second with 20 percent.
State Sen. Eric Fingerhut of Cleveland, who is running this year for U.S. Senate, as well as Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell each got about 11 percent. Trash talk-show host Jerry Springer was last with about 9 percent.
Brown would be an excellent candidate, but he has shown little to no interest in statewide office. That moves Strickland to the top of the list.
Also, Brown "is strongly encouraging me to run," Strickland said. Brown could be a big help during the campaign, urging his supporters to back Strickland.
Republicans have controlled every elected executive branch seat in Ohio since 1990. But infighting among its top elected officials is fracturing the party, and could provide Democrats an opportunity to make inroads in the state.
There is much about Strickland that makes him a solid gubernatorial candidate. Of course, he appeals to the traditional Democratic areas of the state and Northeast Ohio, and particularly the Mahoning Valley. Strickland has represented Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County since January 2003. Also, he's got strong labor support.
But most important, Strickland, who has a liberal voting record, has run and won in the southern and eastern parts of Ohio, much of which traditionally vote Republican. Strickland is a strong campaigner and can spend and raise a lot of money. He proved that when he handily defeated Republican Michael Halleck in the 2002 election.
His congressional district leans Democratic, but not overwhelmingly so. Need evidence of his political prowess? No Republican stepped forward in the 12-county 6th Congressional District to run against him in this year's election.
Strickland was an early supporter of U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt's presidential campaign. But he's participated in numerous teleconferences with Ohio reporters in support of U.S. Sen. John Kerry. This exposes Strickland to political reporters from throughout the state, which could be beneficial in 2006.
Besides Strickland, other Democrats eyeing gubernatorial runs two years from now include Coleman, Springer, Fingerhut and former Attorney General Lee Fisher.
Of those, Coleman is probably the most viable challenge to Strickland. Coleman is a solid vote-getter in Columbus, but he isn't well-known outside of that area.
Also, it appears that most of the prominent Democratic officials in the state will line up behind Strickland over Coleman.
Strickland said he will decide by the end of this year whether he will run in 2006. He would have to choose between running for re-election to Congress or for governor.
"Life is full of calculated risks," he said.
Strickland said he expects contested Democratic primaries for every statewide executive office seat up for grabs in two years: governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state and treasurer.
Three prominent Republicans -- Attorney General Jim Petro, Auditor Betty Montgomery and Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell -- are planning to run for governor. If all three run, Strickland predicts Montgomery would win.
Could Strickland beat any of the three? Right now, I don't think so. They all have better name recognition and will outspend Strickland. But there's more than two years before the election, and a lot can happen between now and then.
In next week's column, I'll look at what could happen in the 6th Congressional District election of 2006 if Strickland doesn't run for the seat.