Brunner, Fisher running for Sen. Voinovich’s seat

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Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams

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Lee Fisher

By Marc Kovac

Fisher invited Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams to be present when he made his announcement.

COLUMBUS — Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher made official their intentions Tuesday to run for U.S. Senate next year.

The Democratic officeholders join Republican Rob Portman in declaring their candidacies for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. George Voinovich.

Fisher, former lawmaker and state attorney general and current lieutenant governor and director of the Department of Development, made his official announcement during a Statehouse press conference Tuesday evening, attended by Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and other officeholders and supporters.

“His commitment and his passion ... for the state of Ohio is unmatched,” Williams said of Fisher.

“So, a few hours ago, when he picked up the phone and asked me would I make the trip to Columbus, without hesitation, knowing that I had a full schedule this evening, without hesitation, I told him I would be happy and eager to come ... from the northeast section of Ohio to make sure that we elect Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher as the next U.S. senator for the state of Ohio.”

Fisher said he would resign his development post immediately but would remain lieutenant governor.

Brunner, a Democrat, entered the race via an Internet video posted Tuesday. Her campaign also announced that she intends to complete her current term as secretary of state, through the end of 2010.

Brunner was elected secretary of state in 2004. Before that, she was a Franklin County Common Pleas judge and worked in private practice. She and her husband, Rick, have three adult children.

Portman, a former congressman who represented Ohio for a dozen years, earlier announced his campaign. He did stints as a U.S. trade representative and director of the Office of Management and Budget for the Bush administration, both Cabinet-level positions.