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Ex-Gov. Ted Strickland is looking forward to challenging U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, the Republican incumbent
YOUNGSTOWN
Though ex-Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, is looking ahead to a general-election matchup with incumbent Republican Rob Portman, he still has to get past two opponents in his party’s March 15 primary.
Polls show Strickland ahead of those two opponents: Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld and Kelli Prather of the Cincinnati area, a political newcomer who owns a home health care business.
“The important thing is which person is best able through [government] experiences and having life experiences [to] be the best advocate for the people of the state of Ohio, and I think I’m that person,” Strickland said.
Throughout the primary, when asked about Sittenfeld, Strickland has been dismissive. He told The Vindicator: “Quite frankly, [Prather’s] more impressive based on what I’ve seen of the two of them.”
Sittenfeld has criticized Strickland’s positions on guns and has himself called for tougher gun laws.
“Ted Strickland has a terrible record [with guns] and is out of step,” Sittenfeld said.
Sittenfeld wants to close loopholes in background checks, hold gun dealers and manufacturers accountable by revoking the licenses of those have a history of selling to criminals, require child safety locks and ban military assault weapons.
Sittenfeld questioned why Strickland bragged on a radio show a year ago about getting an A+ rating from the NRA and that he voted against banning assault weapons. Strickland now says he favors gun restrictions.
“The gun issue is a legitimate issue for anyone to bring up,” Strickland said. “I have a history. I dropped my affiliation with the NRA five years ago. They’ve become increasing radicalized.”
Strickland said he supports comprehensive background checks and not allowing those on the no-fly list and with a history of domestic violence to own guns.
Strickland said he would now vote to ban assault weapons, though he said it is “difficult to enforce because it’s not clear what’s an assault weapon” and “there is not a lot of evidence” that there wasn’t a drop in gun violence when those weapons were banned.
Sittenfeld said he’s the best Democratic candidate to face Portman as he brings a fresh approach and doesn’t carry political baggage like Strickland.
Polls show a close race between Strickland and Portman, and that Portman would easily beat Sittenfeld if he was the Democratic nominee.
Strickland said he is so confident he’ll be the Democratic nominee that he won’t spend money on media ads touting his candidacy during the primary.
Sittenfeld wants Strickland to debate him, something the former governor and congressman refuses to do.
“I’m not insulted Ted Strickland isn’t willing to debate me,” Sittenfeld said. “I find it flattering, but it’s insulting to Democratic voters.”
Strickland said he won’t debate Sittenfeld because “if I think I’m the best person for this office – and I do – then my responsibility is to win in November. I can best win in November by not fighting with a Democrat in the primary. It’s divisive to do that. You can’t debate someone without feelings being hurt.”
Strickland pointed to the bitter Democratic primary for this seat in 2010 between his Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and then-Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. After Fisher’s win, both sides had hard feelings and spent too much money on the primary, leaving Fisher’s general-election campaign broke.
“I’m convinced I’ll be the person to run against Rob Portman, and I think I’m going to do well,” Strickland said. “Rob Portman and his supporters know I’m the guy to beat him.”
As for debating Portman, Strickland said, “I like debates. I will debate Rob Portman every time I get a chance to.”