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OH-02: Book Drops Out

by: James L.

Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 1:59 PM EST

You may recall that Ohio Democrats had some optimism over the candidacy of state Rep. Todd Book, who announced in July that he would be challenging chronic underachiever Jean Schmidt in this R+13 suburban Cincinnati district. Looks like the Book has been closed:

State Rep. Todd Book- the Scioto County lawmaker who is a favorite of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Democratic Party leaders - is dropping out of the Democratic primary in Ohio's Second Congressional District.
Dave Lane, the Clermont County Democratic Party chairman, sent an e-mail to Clermont Democrats Monday night saying that the 41-year-old legislator from the Scioto County village of McDermott is withdrawing because of his legislative duties in Columbus. [...]
Book's campaign took a major blow about a week ago when the Tristate Building and Construction Trades Council - which represents 15 labor union in southern Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia - pulled its endorsement of Book after learning that his Portsmouth law firm was representing a non-union construction firm in Georgia.

Book's campaign never really got off the ground in an impressive way; he only raised $64K in the third quarter, and didn't really show much chutzpah overall. But it's difficult to blame him for taking a pass at what's looking like an incredibly daunting race in the face of a GOP headwind.

With Book out, it may come to pass that businessman David Krikorian, who gobbled up a large chunk of the vote as an independent candidate in 2008, may become the Democratic flagbearer by default. Former Apprentice contestant Surya Yalimanchili is also in the race (as an independent), but is striking centrist-sounding tones rather than any teabaggy bluster which would be of more use for Democrats hoping for a right-wing split.

RaceTracker Wiki: OH-02

James L. :: OH-02: Book Drops Out

Tags: OH-02, Todd Book, Jean Schmidt, (All Tags)

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OH-02: Book Drops Out | 5 comments

Ouch

I bet this is going to start to happen more. More and more mid level Democratic candidate in Republican leaning districts will start pulling out or just not sign up for a run. Yes we have to play defense, but playing Offense everywhere helps keep the GOP on Defense too which is always good.

29/D/Male/NY-01

by: Tekzilla @ Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 18:31:29 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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R+13 does not equal "Republican leaning"

The republican brand is still far more toxic than the Dem one, but a large bunch of people think both are lazy do-nothings.

It is not a great cycle to challenge a R+13 person, but it is far worse to challenge a D+13 person.

The key races this time should play out in the R+1 to R+9 districts, and that is just fine. Hopefully good candidates will see that the only thing less popular than D House candidate is an R House candidate.

by: tommypaine @ Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 18:54:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This isn't

really any new sign of weakness. Book's fundraising was terrible from the outset, and another candidate, David Krikorian, has looked significantly better, at least from a $$$ perspective. This is probably a net positive for Dem prospects of taking this seat, or maybe a wash.

34, WM, Democrat, FL-11

by: spiderdem @ Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 21:58:06 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ive given up on OH-2

This is simply a seat we cannot win in. R+13 is too big a hurdle to get over with Schmidt, who hasnt made news in quite sometime. We almost did it in 2006, really didnt come close in 2008. Schmidt is much more doomed in a GOP primary.

by: Andrew @ Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 17:41:40 PM CST

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The only positive from that seat

Schmidt holding that seat ties up a LOT of unnecessary republican voters in that part of the state. Republicans can't afford to weaken it at all come redistricting because of how crappy Schmidt is as a politician.

by: ChadInFL @ Wed Nov 25, 2009 at 22:44:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]