Party to elect replacement for chairman

COLUMBUS (AP) -- The Ohio Democratic Party's executive committee will meet Dec. 19 at a site still to be determined to elect a replacement for Chairman Denny White, whose resignation was effective Thursday.
Party Vice Chairwoman Rhine McLin said she was asking candidates for the job to declare their interest by Dec. 5 and complete a questionnaire by Dec. 10.
Meanwhile, McLin, the mayor of Dayton, will serve as interim chairwoman.
Four people have announced they are candidates for state chairman.
They are Athens County Democratic Chairwoman Susan Gwinn, former U.S. Rep. Dennis Eckart of Cleveland, Montgomery County Democratic Chairman Dennis Lieberman and Ohio House Minority Leader Chris Redfern of Port Clinton.
McLin says others mentioned as possible candidates include: Otto Beatty Jr., a Columbus lawyer and former state representative; Bill DeMora, executive director of the Ohio League of Conservation Voters and a former party political director; former Attorney General Lee Fisher of Cleveland; Erie County Democratic Party Chairman David Giese; Kettering businesswoman Jane Mitakides; and Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune.