Ohio: The Field Contracts

As noted above, Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Wadsworth) left the Governor’s race to become a Senate candidate, but he was not the only gubernatorial candidate to drop out of the race.  Today, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley has scheduled an announcement conference with opponent Richard Cordray.  Ms. Whaley will reportedly announce that she is leaving the race, and will endorse Mr. Cordray for the nomination.  Earlier in the week, former US Rep. Betty Sutton decided to form a unity team with Cordray, and she will now run for Lt. Governor as part of a new Democratic ticket. 
 
The developments leave both parties with unity slates.  For the Republicans, Attorney General and former US Senator Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted are a political pair.  With Renacci out, the remaining candidate is Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.  On the Democratic side, the Cordray-Sutton ticket faces former US Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland), former state Supreme Court Justice Bob O’Neill, and ex-state Rep. Connie Pillich (D-Cincinnati).  Gov. John Kasich (R) is ineligible to seek a third term.  The Ohio Governorship will be an immense factor in the coming 2021 national redistricting battle.

--Jim Ellis