Is Zack Space serious?
The Ohio Democratic Party’s Saturday dinner in Cleveland, organized to celebrate its 2008 victories, was actually dominated by talk of victories in 2010. (Finally, the party is looking ahead!)
Five Democrats – Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, Cincinnati State Rep. Tyrone Yates, Dover Congressman Zack Space and Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones – pitched themselves for the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Republican George Voinovich, who is retiring at the end of next year. (Emphasis added)
“Pitched” himself? Really? How does Space expect to find oxygen in an already-crowded field? By running as the conservative alternative in what is shaping up to be a fairly liberal pack? I find it difficult to imagine that Space is foolish enough to give up his seat in the House for a slim shot in a Senate primary, but I guess you never know.
And speaking of potential Ohio vacancies, perhaps there’s still a chance that 17th CD Rep. Tim Ryan may go statewide after all:
Fisher’s door to run for re-election with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is closing fast. Strickland, who already endorsed Fisher for the senate seat, is actively interviewing candidates for a new running mate. He is said to be interested in, among others, Youngstown Congressman Tim Ryan. Democrats say the governor hopes to announce a decision in a month.
Not only does Space have no chance of winning a primary statewide, but we’d also probably lose his house seat.
Though I have to say I like the diea of Ryan as Strickland’s Lt. Gov. That could go a long way in setting him up to be Strickland’s eventual successor. And Ryan’s house seat is safely Democratic anyway.
I mean even Space must know that this is a suicide mission for him. Especially considering that he will likely get a somewhat more democratic seat, although he can never be really “safe.” If he ran it would be an uneccessary loss of a seat that would otherwise be safe.
I know theres lots of registered Dems in Space and Wilson’s rural southern OH districts. Space could do well there and amongst other rural OH Dems. I could see him getting 30% and that may even be enough for a primary victory.
I said a while back that perhaps Tim Ryan will run for Lt. Gov. instead of re-election. Sure the position itself is a step down…but like Adam Putnam, in FL, he must know that being a statewide office holder is the better political option if he wants to run for Gov. or Sen. someday. As hes more well known statewide. Not as powerful or prestigious but definitely more well known within OH.