Endorsements likely to discourage others

The state senator says he won't quit the race.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland said his numerous endorsements for governor should make state Sen. Eric Fingerhut and other Democrats think twice about getting in the race.
"It sends a message to potential challengers that a candidate has great support and strength," Strickland, a Lisbon Democrat, said Friday.
Strickland said his endorsements are a significant reason why Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman quit the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in November. Strickland said Coleman never told him that was a reason, but that is the congressman's belief. Coleman said he withdrew from the race to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his mayoral job.
Fingerhut, of Shaker Heights, who had supported Coleman for governor, said he is seeking the Democratic nomination in the May primary. Former state Rep. Bryan Flannery of Strongsville is also running in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Response
Strickland is "obviously misreading me and misreading Mayor Coleman," Fingerhut said. "More importantly, he's misreading the state of Ohio."
Strickland and Fingerhut were elected in 1992 to U.S. House seats, and lost re-election bids in 1994. Strickland successfully ran for a House seat in 1996 and has served since. Fingerhut successfully ran in 1998 for the state Senate and has served for the past eight years. He cannot run this year for re-election because of the state term-limits law.
"His circumstances are such that he is term-limited, and he obviously likes politics," Strickland said of Fingerhut. "I think he sees [running for governor] as a way to continue to be involved politically."
Fingerhut said he's running for governor because he believes he is the best candidate and not because he's looking to stay politically active.
Long list
Even though the filing deadline for the primary is a month away, Strickland has amassed a long list of endorsements including 26 county Democratic parties, labor unions that represent more than 350,000 workers and retirees, and numerous Democratic officeholders.
"I can't think of a single politician who wouldn't accept endorsements whenever he could get them, even if it's before the filing deadline," Strickland said. "I want [Fingerhut] to understand the strength of my support so he can make an informed decision."
Fingerhut said he isn't getting out of the race.
Though not dismissing Strickland's endorsements as meaningless, Fingerhut said the congressman's support comes from those who've led and/or influenced Ohio Democrats during the past 15 years, an era that has seen Republicans dominate state politics.
Fingerhut lost all 88 counties in his failed 2004 challenge to defeat U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich, a Republican. Fingerhut said Voinovich spent about eight times the amount of money he did during the race.
Strickland is expected to raise more money than Fingerhut, who said he'll have enough cash to get his message across.
Strickland was in Youngstown on Friday to join several Mahoning County Democratic officeholders and local labor leaders in endorsing state Sen. Charles A. Wilson Jr. of St. Clairsville, D-30th, for the 6th Congressional District seat. Strickland is vacating the seat this year to run for governor. The 12-county congressional district includes Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County.
skolnick@vindy.com