The Battle Royale for Ohio Governor

Bob Taft (R) has reached his term limit. In the wake of the seat becoming open ten people have filed for the job. Some of the candidates are a recent who's who in Ohio politics. Others are more like a "who's that" kind of candidate.

Out of all these candidates the only ones creating any sort of buzz are Blackwell, Montgomery, Petro, Fingerhut, and Strickland. Blackwell currently leads Republican candidates while Strickland leads the Democrats. Whoever wins their party’s nomination for governor will face a long and gruesome battle. This will be especially close if it ends up Blackwell vs. Strickland.

Normally Blackwell would have a commanding edge as Secretary of State. However, there is a lingering distrust in him as the public perception is he obstructed the elections by disuading minorities to vote. I am currently analyzing the races in Ohio for the past 10 years and have found no evidence that this rumor is true. Also, have those who are making these accusations ever seen a picture of the man. I hardly think that this man (below) would chase minorities from the polls.


Ken Blackwell
Courtesy of Ohio Secretary of State website


Here is a breakdown of the candidates courtesy of USElections.com .

Larry Bays (R) (running mate not named)
Current Elected Position: Wayne County Park Commissioner

Ken Blackwell (R) (running mate not named)
Current Elected Position: Secretary of State
Former Posts: State Treasurer, Cincinnati Mayor

Pete Draganic (R) (running mate not named)
Occupation: General Contractor

Betty Montgomery (R) (running mate not named)
Current Elected Position: State Auditor
Former Posts: Attorney General, State Senator

Jim Petro (R)
Current Elected Position: Attorney General
Former Posts: State Auditor, State Representative
Running Mate: Phil Heimlich (R) - Hamilton County Commissioner, former Cincinnati Councilman
**NOTE: Heimlich officially quit the ticket as of 1/16/05

Eric Fingerhut (D) (running mate not named)
Current Elected Position: State Senator
Former Posts: Congressman, US Senate Nominee (2004)
Occupation: Attorney

Bryan Flannery (D) (running mate not named)
Current Elected Position: State Representative
Former Posts: 'Secretary of State Nominee (2002)
Occupation: Health Care Consultant

Ted Strickland (D) (running mate not named)
Current Elected Position: Congressman
Occupation: Psychologist

Bob Fitrakis (Green)
Occupation: Attorney, College Professor, Newspaper Editor
Political Activities: Progressive Activist
Running Mate: Anita Rios (Green) Ex-Green Party National Co-Chair & Liberal Activist

Bill Peirce (Libertarian) (running mate not named)
Occupation: Retired College Professor & Economist