Reardon doesn't see challenger in primary

The Mahoning County treasurer said he would win a competitive primary.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- With the Ohio House minority leader deciding to stay out of the state auditor's race, Mahoning County Treasurer John Reardon doesn't see a high-level political official challenging him in the 2006 Democratic primary for the post.
Minority Leader Chris Redfern of Catawba Island, D-80th, had explored a state auditor bid for the past several months. After Reardon announced his candidacy for the position in June, Redfern said he was leaning heavily toward running for auditor.
But Redfern announced Monday that he would run for re-election to his state House seat next year. Despite his earlier statements, Redfern said he was never leaning one way or the other, and running for re-election to the Ohio House "should not be viewed as a step back."
Redfern cannot seek another term in the House in 2008 because of the state's term limits law. Among his options three years from now would be to run for the Ohio Senate's 2nd District position.
Redfern praised Reardon, the party's only announced state auditor candidate.
"John's a qualified candidate," he said. "He's ready to work hard. ... I'm excited for John's chances. He has the qualifications to do the job. A candidate who does well in the Mahoning Valley does well statewide."
If Redfern entered the auditor's race, Reardon said he was confident he would have defeated the House minority leader in next year's Democratic primary.
Running unopposed
Reardon said he would prefer not to have opposition in the party primary next year. Running unopposed wouldn't help increase his name recognition statewide, but Reardon said it would allow him to not spend money on a primary.
Also, Reardon said he would focus his energy, resources and time on Democratic strongholds during a primary. Without a primary, Reardon would travel the state to counties where Democrats traditionally don't do well to get his name out.
State Rep. Mary Taylor of Uniontown, R-43rd, is the only declared Republican candidate.
"We are not concerned at all with Chris Redfern's political future," said John McClelland, Ohio Republican Party spokesman, when asked about the minority leader's decision.
It will take at least $4 million to win next year's auditor race, Redfern said.
Targeted seats
With the political scandals in recent years that have hit top Ohio Republicans -- including Gov. Bob Taft, former Treasurer Joseph Deters and former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder -- Redfern said he is optimistic that Democrats can gain control of the House next year. Republicans outnumber Democrats 60-39 in the House.
Redfern said two seats held by Republicans are among those on his radar screen: the 64th District, a seat held by first-term state Rep. Randy Law of Warren, and the 1st District, held by House Speaker Pro Tempore Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool. Law's district is heavily Democratic, and Blasdel isn't seeking re-election next year to run for the 6th Congressional District.
skolnick@vindy.com