Dann’s resignation a headache for Dems

By David Skolnick

Marc Dann’s embarrassing behavior, inability to properly oversee his staff and poor decision-making cost him his job as attorney general.

It is also causing Democrats a great deal of concern. Until Dann won the 2006 election, Republicans controlled the attorney general’s office.

Democrats now must fight to retain the seat.

With Dann’s resignation, Gov. Ted Strickland will appoint a fellow Democrat to serve as interim attorney general.

The Ohio Democratic Party would then nominate someone by Aug. 19 to be its attorney general candidate in the Nov. 4 election to fill the remainder of Dann’s term. His unexpired term runs through January 2011.

It sounds easy enough. But in reality, it’s quite difficult.

Strickland has to decide if he’ll select a caretaker to hold the seat on a temporary basis or choose someone who would then be the incumbent going into the general election.

Logic dictates Strickland should appoint someone who would definitely be the party’s candidate for attorney general as soon as possible.

Incumbency is extremely helpful in this race because of the short time-frame for the campaign. Also, the presidential election will attract a majority of voter attention as well as dominate the airwaves.

That means name recognition, helped by being the incumbent, is among the top qualifications for an attorney general candidate.

That could be a problem for Democrats.

The two most well-known Democrats names under consideration are Treasurer Richard Cordray and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher.

Under no circumstances would Cordray vacate the treasurer’s position to be the interim attorney general. The main reason why is that would then lead to an election on Nov. 4 to fill the treasurer’s position.

Cordray is still the party’s most viable candidate even though he wouldn’t run as an incumbent.

Fisher, a former attorney general would have to resign his position, but that’s not an issue. Lieutenant governor is not an elected post. Fisher ran on the ticket with Strickland in 2006.

Strickland could appoint Fisher as attorney general and find a fill-in for lieutenant governor. If Fisher lost, he could slide back into his old job.

Strickland has a list with dozens of AG candidates.

At best, there’s maybe a half-dozen serious contenders.

The Republicans established a committee to review its candidates for attorney general. Among the 26 members are Mark Munroe, Mahoning County Republican vice chairman, and Columbiana County GOP Chairman Dave Johnson.

The names being floated around on the Republican side include ex-U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, outgoing U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien and ex-U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, the former director of the U.S. Office of Budget and Management.

Outside of DeWine and perhaps Portman, the Republicans don’t have any heavy-hitters on their list.

The two most notable Republicans for the job — former Attorneys General Betty Montgomery and Jim Petro — aren’t interested in running.

Montgomery, who lost to Dann in 2006, is on the Republican screening committee.

While she’s ruled out running, some Republicans hope Montgomery’s involvement in the selection process will convince her to change her mind.