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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Updated - Portman announces for U.S. Senate, to start statewide campaign tour
Former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, made it official today, Jan. 14 - he’s running for the U.S. Senate in 2010. He made the announcement that he will seek the Republican nomination in a press release.
“My heart is in public service,” Portman said. “Just as it was an honor to serve the people of southern Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years, so it would be an honor to serve Ohioans in the U.S. Senate. At a difficult time in our state and national economy, I believe I can make a difference in the lives of people throughout Ohio.”
He will launch his campaign with a statewide tour.
The tour follows the announcement on Monday, Jan. 13, by U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, that he won’t seek re-election in 2010.
Portman will kick off the tour at 11 a.m. at the Golden Lamb restaurant, 27 S. Broadway, in Lebanon.
Next will come a 5 p.m. stop at Tony Packo’s Front Street Restaurant, 1902 Front St., in Toledo.
On Thursday, Jan. 15, Portman has scheduled a 9 a.m. stop in Cleveland, followed by a 12:30 p.m. stop at the Statehouse in Columbus.
The tour is to conclude at a 6 p.m. event at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse in Cincinnati.
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Obama may visit Ohio on Friday
The Associated Press is reporting that President-elect Barack Obama is planning a visit to Ohio on Friday, Jan. 16. Bedford Heights Police Commander Gary Serfilippi confirmed an Obama visit to that Cleveland suburb. He provided no other details.
A telephone message left with the office of the Obama-Biden transition office in Washington was not immediately returned.
WKYC-TV of Cleveland reports on its Web site that Obama will visit Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Co., which makes industrial fasteners and products used in wind turbines.
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State Sen. Coughlin explores 2010 run for governor
State Sen. Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, might not be a household name yet but Coughlin hopes to change that.
Coughlin, 38, wants to run for governor in 2010, he said today, Jan. 13, and is “exploring” making the race.
“I want to run for governor. That’s what I intend to do,” he said.
“Ohio needs a fresh start and our party needs a fresh start,” he added. He said he looked forward to getting out and sharing his vision with voters.
Former Republican U.S. Rep. John Kasich of suburban Columbus also is expected to run for governor in 2010 on the GOP side.
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Portman intends to run for U.S. Senate; will announce on Wednesday
Former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, intends to run for the U.S. Senate and will make a formal announcement on Wednesday, Jan. 14, Caroline Joseph, an aide said today, Jan. 13.
Portman discussed his plans with WMFB TV in Mansfield today.
His comments came a day after Republican Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, announced that he wouldn’t seek a third term in 2010.
“I’ve been encouraged by him and others to run and I think I will,” Portman told the TV station.
At his press conference on Monday, Jan. 12, Voinovich praised Portman, although he didn’t formally endorse him:
“He’s got the qualities to make a very outstanding senator not only for Ohio but for the country.”
Of his relationship with Portman, Voinovich said:
“I consider myself to be one of his mentors.”
Portman was speaking at Ashland University today.
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Lt. Gov. Fisher - more later on 2010 U.S. Senate plans
Put Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in the “maybe” category when it comes to interest in the 2010 U.S. Senate race.
“My sole focus remains on working with Gov. Strickland to respond to this unprecedented economic crisis and to grow Ohio’s economy,” Fisher said today, Jan. 13.
“I respect and admire Sen. (George) Voinovich’s long and very distinguished record of public service and I’ll have more to say about a possible run for the U.S. Senate at a later time.”
If Fisher, also state development director, runs and wins the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, the general election would be a tiebreaker for him in term of statewide campaigns.
He won the Attorney General’s office in 1990, lost that office in 1994 and also lost a race for governor in 1998.
In 2006 he won the lieutenant governor’s office on the ticket with Gov. Ted Strickland.
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Strickland elected co-chair of Appalachian Regional Commission
Gov. Ted Strickland, who comes from Ohio’s Appalachian region, has been elected states’ co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission.
“When you grow up in small town Appalachian Ohio, you see hard work and determination every single day,” Strickland said in a press release today, Jan. 13. “While there’s never been any shortage of ability in the place I call home, we have to make sure there’s no shortage of opportunity.”
Strickland is from Duck Run in Scioto County.
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a partnership of the 13 Appalachian states and the federal government. It works to bring the region into economic parity with the rest of the country through economic development and improved quality of life.
