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Democrats Brunner, Fisher tout experience in race for US Senate
By DAVID SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
Democrats will decide May 4 who will be the party’s nominee for U.S. Senate between a couple of statewide officeholders: Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.
Fisher and Brunner both point to their experience and qualifications.
For Fisher, that includes a decade as a state legislator, four years as attorney general, three-plus years as lieutenant governor and seven years of running the Center for Families and Children.
“I’m somebody who’s spent a great deal of my life outside of politics,” Fisher said. “Being in the private sector gives me a different perspective. My blend of experience in the private sector as well as the executive and legislative branches makes me the strongest candidate.”
Brunner served as a legislative aide to then-state Sen. Thomas E. Carney of Girard from 1978 to 1981 as well as four years as legislative counsel in the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
Brunner started a law firm in her bedroom in 1988, beat a governor appointee in 2000 for a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judicial seat and served as secretary of state since January 2007.
“I’m not afraid to take a principled stand on controversial issues,” she said. “I’ve got a track record of getting things done. People want someone who’ll be honest with them and work hard and do the very best for them.”
Both say job creation is their top priority.
“I’m the only candidate in either party who’s actually helped save, create and retain jobs in every corner of the state,” Fisher said.
Fisher said he played key roles in persuading General Motors to expand in Lordstown and V&M Star to build a $650 million facility in Youngstown.
Fisher also has been lieutenant governor — and served as the head of the Ohio Department of Development for about two years — during a major economic downturn in the state.
“We’re in this economic recession primarily because of the trade, economic and regulatory policies of the Bush administration,” he said. “Republicans will do everything to lay this at the feet of [Gov.] Ted Strickland, Lee Fisher and other Democrats. It is an intellectually dishonest attack.”
If elected to the Senate, Brunner said she immediately would aim federal stimulus money at jobs such as infrastructure rebuilding.
She’d also organize task forces in communities to bring business and skilled labor together to apply for grants and job-retraining funds to prepare the state for the new economy.
The two have argued about Brunner’s accusations that Fisher is impeding her ability to raise money. Fisher strongly denies it.
Both expect a close race with the winner emerging as a stronger candidate.
The winner moves on to the November general election to face Republican Rob Portman, three minor-party candidates and any independents who must file by May 3.