More than 30 candidates file to run in Ohio state races

February 19, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By MARC KOVAC

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

COLUMBUS — More than 30 candidates submitted petitions to appear on the May primary ballot, setting up contests in a handful of statewide races.

Republicans have primary challenges for attorney general, secretary of state and auditor. Democrats have one contested race: U.S. Senate.

Statewide candidates were required to submit valid signatures from registered voters to the secretary of state’s office by the close of business Thursday.

County elections boards will verify those signatures in coming weeks before making the May ballot official, said Kevin Kidder, a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office.

There were few surprises in the filings; most of the major party candidates announced their election intentions in recent months.

Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland will seek re-election, running with former Columbus-area judge Yvette McGee Brown.

On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. John Kasich and his running mate, state Auditor Mary Taylor, are challenging.

Both tickets are unopposed in the primary.

Other candidates running for the state’s top office include Dennis Spisak and running mate Anita Rios, representing the Green Party; and Libertarians Ken Matesz and running mate Ann Leech.

In other races:

UFour Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican George Voinovich: Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, a former lawmaker and state attorney general: Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a former Franklin County judge; Columbus-area resident Traci Johnson; and Lyndhurst resident Charlena Renee Bradley.

Rob Portman, a former Congressman and Bush administration official, is unopposed in the Republican primary, after Tom Ganley, a businessman from northeastern Ohio, opted to run for the U.S. House instead.

Socialist Party candidate Daniel H. LaBotz, Libertarian Steven Linnabary and the Constitution Party’s Eric Deaton also filed to seek the seat.

UDemocratic incumbent Richard Cordray will seek re-election. He won the seat in 2008 to finish the term of former Attorney General Marc Dann of Liberty. Cordray is unopposed in the primary.

Former U.S. Sen. and U.S. Rep. Mike DeWine will face Steve Christopher, an attorney and township trustee from Hardin County, in the Republican primary.

Constitution Party candidate Robert Owens and Libertarian Marc Allan Feldman also filed for the seat.

UFour candidates are running to replace Brunner as secretary of state. Former House Speaker and current state Sen. Jon Husted will face Sandra O’Brien in the Republican primary. O’Brien ran for state treasurer in 2006.

Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, clerk of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Columbus, is the uncontested in the Democratic primary. Libertarian Charles Earl also filed for the seat.

UDave Yost, Republican prosecutor from Delaware County and former county auditor there, will face state Rep. Seth Morgan, from the Dayton area, in the Republican primary for state auditor.

Democratic Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper is unopposed. Libertarian L. Michael Howard also filed for the seat.

UBoth Democratic incumbent Kevin Boyce and Republican state Rep. Josh Mandel are unopposed in their primaries for state treasurer. Libertarian Matthew Cantrell also filed for the seat.

UFive candidates submitted petitions for seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Current high court Justice Maureen O’Connor, a Republican, and Judge Eric Brown of Franklin County Common Pleas Court, a Democrat, hope to become the next chief justice.

Incumbent Republicans Judith Ann Lanzinger and Paul E. Pfeifer are seeking additional terms. Democratic 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp also filed for the primary.

mkovac@dixcom.com