Strickland still has eye on the governor's job

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, supports Strickland for governor.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Some political observers say the Bush victory in Ohio and nationwide won't discourage strong Democrat candidates from running in 2006 for statewide office.
"Kerry's defeat doesn't scare the Democrats for '06," said Mark Munroe, Mahoning County's Bush-Cheney campaign coordinator and the county GOP vice chairman. "They're lining up already."
U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, D-6th, is eyeing a gubernatorial bid, and said he'll decide next month. Unlike John Kerry, Strickland said he identifies with rural Ohioans and they with him.
"Kerry, like many other Democrats in the past, did poorly in the rural areas I represent," he said. "I think that Kerry's defeat in some ways will make it more likely that the Democratic Party will look to someone like me [to run for governor], someone from an area that hasn't supported Democrats in the past. I want Ohio to have effective, strong, progressive leadership, and I feel I can give them that."
Early support
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, supports Strickland for governor.
"Ted's perfect," Ryan said. "He voted against partial-birth abortions, and has an A rating from the NRA [National Rifle Association]. He's moderate on social issues."
If Strickland opts to give up his congressional seat and run for governor, there are plenty of people eyeing that position.
State Rep. Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool, R-1st, is the favorite to get the Republican nomination among GOP leadership if Strickland doesn't seek re-election. That's the case even though Blasdel beat Frank Rayl Jr., a Democrat and political newcomer, in this week's election by less than 500 votes, according to unofficial results.
The 1,084 provisional votes cast in Columbiana County haven't been opened. For Rayl to win, he would need a substantial victory among the provisional votes.
Blasdel acknowledges his campaign should have been more aggressive against Rayl.
"I'm still a viable candidate for future office," he said. "As a member of the House, I amassed a pretty good record. Had we done a more effective job of putting our message out, we'd have won bigger."
skolnick@vindy.com