Friday, October 28, 2005
About a month ago, national Democratic officials desperately scrambled to find someone to challenge U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine in 2006 after three members of Ohio's Democratic congressional caucus declined to step forward.
National Democrats see DeWine as vulnerable because of Republican political scandals in Ohio. They can't directly tie DeWine to any of the Republican problems so they simply say he is part of some sort of axis of evil with President Bush and Ohio Gov. Bob Taft.
They also realize the importance and benefits of having as many Democrats in statewide office in Ohio -- considered one of only a handful of swing states -- as the party prepares for the 2008 presidential election.
U.S. Reps. Ted Strickland of Lisbon, Sherrod Brown of Avon and Tim Ryan of Niles opted not to challenge DeWine, and things looked rather bleak for the Democrats. But suddenly in August, a promising Democrat appeared on the radar screen who wasn't even a blip a month or so earlier.
His political experience is extremely limited. He served three years on a small city council in southwestern Ohio. His only other political run was a defeat in August. On the surface, he sounds like many past Democratic statewide candidates, all who lost.
But there is something intriguing about him.
His name is Paul Hackett, an outspoken attorney in southwest Ohio who ran a long-shot campaign for the vacant 2nd Congressional District seat Aug. 2. Hackett, a major in the Marine Corps Reserves who recently returned from Iraq, received 48 percent of the vote and almost pulled off a major upset in a heavily Republican congressional district.
National Democrats asked Ryan in early September to help convince Hackett to run. Ryan spoke to Hackett at least once daily on the subject.
"I told him if he got in the race, I'd be supportive and be with him every step of the way," Ryan said. "I gave him my word, and I'm keeping it."
In late September, Hackett -- considered by some Ohio Republican insiders as the most legitimate Democratic threat to DeWine -- decided to run.
A few days later, Brown changed his mind and opted to get in the race.
Upon hearing the news, Hackett hit the roof. Ryan said he was shocked by Brown's decision. Hackett said he had previously asked Brown if there was even a remote chance the congressman would run, Hackett wouldn't challenge him. Brown said this week he has the right to change his mind.
"There's no entitlement to a Senate seat," Brown said. "Just because a few party leaders say [Hackett] should run doesn't make him the nominee."
Hackett and Brown said the winner of next year's Senate Democratic race will be primarily determined by voters in Mahoning, Trumbull and Cuyahoga counties. Among the state's most populated counties, the three traditionally provide the largest margins of victories for Democratic statewide candidates.
Brown would appear to have the edge. He is a former Ohio secretary of state, is well-known in Cuyahoga, and represented western Trumbull County for 10 years.
Brown also has the strong support of Strickland, who is running for governor. Strickland represents a portion of Mahoning County, and the two plan to campaign together.
But don't count out Hackett.
Ryan, who represents most of Mahoning and Trumbull counties, is keeping his word and supporting Hackett -- who he calls "a hell of a candidate" -- despite his close friendship with Brown. Ryan said his conversation with Brown about supporting Hackett wasn't terribly pleasant and he's in a "sticky" situation.
This is a huge boost for Hackett in this key Democratic area because Ryan is considered one of the Mahoning Valley's most popular politicians. With Ryan's help, Hackett could cut into Brown's Valley support.
By supporting Hackett, Ryan acknowledged he runs the risk of alienating a close ally should Brown be elected to the Senate.
"We needed a good candidate and we found a really good candidate," Ryan said of Hackett. "If Sherrod got in before, I would have been the first one behind him. Just because it got complicated and tough, you still keep your word."