Move to Columbus by Ryan would have a domino effect


By David Skolnick

As I wrote in my March 13 column, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan is a top, or the top, candidate to run as Gov. Ted Strickland’s lieutenant governor next year.

Based on what I know, Ryan of Niles, D-17th, seems to be leaning towards being Strickland’s running mate next year.

“There’s no question that the most comfortable thing for me personally is to stay where I am” in the House, Ryan said. “Sometimes you get called to do things to serve in a bigger way. I need to look at that.”

That sounds like someone who wants to not only run next year for lieutenant governor, but to seek the gubernatorial seat in 2014.

[Ryan told me running for governor five years from now is a “possibility” whether he is in Congress or a lieutenant governor candidate.]

Being lieutenant governor would certainly position Ryan as a leading candidate for governor in 2014.

The other leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2014 is Attorney General Richard Cordray.

Ryan’s decision is an important story locally, statewide and nationally.

To show how important it is nationally, The Washington Post reported Tuesday on its Web site that Ryan had decided to run and “will announce that he is running for lieutenant governor later this week.”

The report, which linked to my March 13 column, cited “two sources familiar with the decision.”

Well, it’s “later this week” and there’s no announcement from Ryan.

Actually, Strickland refuted The Post report saying he hopes to decide by the end of April.

Not to be outdone, Roll Call, a newspaper and Web site that covers federal politics, published an article later that day stating Ryan “will leave the House after four terms to run for lieutenant governor in 2010, according to sources familiar with his decision.”

It’s quite possible that Ryan will leave the U.S. House and be Strickland’s running mate. But they haven’t made that decision yet.

The governor also seemed a bit lukewarm last week when I asked about Ryan as his running mate.

Strickland praised Ryan, but pointed out that the congressman has a bright political future and serves on the Appropriations Committee, the most influential committee in the U.S. House.

“That’s a lot to give up,” Strickland said.

When it comes down to it, if Ryan wants to be the Democratic Party’s lieutenant governor candidate, Strickland will enthusiastically support that decision.

I’m sure there are plenty of politicians who’d like to see Ryan vacate his House seat so they can take his place.

Right now, there isn’t a Republican in the heavily-Democratic 17th Congressional District who can win that position.

Ohio Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, has said she’d be interested in the seat if it opened up.

Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti of Poland has also expressed interest in running for Congress.

There are bound to be plenty others who will consider running — or perhaps have already given it strong thoughts.

There also another issue that must be addressed.

When Ohio does its legislative redistricting, based on the 2010 U.S. Census, for the 2012 election, the state will lose one congressional seat or possibly two.

That loss would come from northeast Ohio and could have a major impact on the Mahoning Valley.

The 6th District, which includes all of Columbiana and a portion of Mahoning among 12 counties stretching over 350 miles, will be changed.

Also, the 16th District, which borders the 6th and 17th Districts, could easily be moved east.

After all, the congressman representing the 16th is John Boccieri, the former Mahoning County resident who represented the area in the state Legislature. Boccieri would love to have some of the Valley in his district.

By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

» Accept
» Learn More