The stories you want. The opinions that matter.
No, thanks
Tag: ted strickland
Bill Clinton Endorses Strickland In Ohio

Bill Clinton Endorses Strickland In Ohio

By Alexis Levinson, CQ-Roll Call (TNS)

WASHINGTON — Former President Bill Clinton made his first endorsement of the 2016 cycle Tuesday, backing former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland in his bid for Senate.

Strickland is the front-runner for the nomination to challenge Republican Senator Rob Portman. One other Democrat is also running — Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld.

“Ted Strickland offers a unique blend of qualities we need more of in Washington today: a proven record of service to hard-working Ohioans, energy, determination, and idealism,” Clinton said in a statement. “He knows how to reach across the aisle to find common ground and when Ohioans need him to stand his ground. No one will care more, know more, and work harder for better opportunities for every Ohioan than Ted. I’m proud to support him.”

Strickland has a long relationship with the Clintons dating back to his time as a member of the House during Clinton’s presidency. In 2008, as governor of the pivotal swing state, he was a major backer of then-Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid. In 2010, Bill Clinton backed Strickland’s unsuccessful bid for another term as governor.

Now, as the former secretary of state prepares to mount another bid for the presidency, that relationship could be valuable again. Last week, Strickland told reporters that a Clinton confidante had told him that she wanted to be on the ballot with him in Ohio.

The endorsement also could be aimed at convincing Sittenfeld to exit the primary. The city councilman was the first Democrat to jump in against Portman, but most Ohio Democrats expected he would bow out when Strickland announced his candidacy. He has not, and Strickland allies are increasingly irked by that fact, in spite of Strickland’s frontrunner status. Ohio is a crucial swing state, and Strickland’s potential to help the Democratic presidential nominee could be a strong argument for his candidacy.

The race is rated Leans Republican by the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call.

Photo: beru8ra via Flickr

Ted Strickland Announces Senate Run In Ohio

Ted Strickland Announces Senate Run In Ohio

By Alexis Levinson, CQ-Roll Call (TNS)

Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, a Democrat, announced Wednesday morning he will challenge Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) in 2016.

“I’m running for the United States Senate in 2016 because I am determined to restore the American Dream for working people in this country,” Strickland said in a statement emailed to reporters.

Democrats need to gain five seats in 2016 to secure a majority, and in a presidential year, that path could run through Ohio.

This Senate race will not be an easy one for Democrats. Portman is a strong fundraiser: He started 2015 with a $5.8 million war chest and will likely add to that sum after the March 31 deadline. The senator began building his campaign team late last month, hiring a campaign manager, a political director, and a fundraiser.

But Strickland will likely be a formidable challenger. A fixture in Ohio politics, he served as governor from 2006 to 2010 following six non-consecutive House terms.

One Democrat is already in the Senate race: Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld launched a campaign a month ago. Many Ohio Democrats expect he will exit the race in the near future now that Strickland is officially running.

In his statement announcing his bid, Strickland mentioned neither Portman nor Sittenfeld.

In a presidential year, when Ohio’s 18 electoral votes are the ultimate prize, the Buckeye State Senate race will likely see a fair bit of action. Strickland is close to former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a likely presidential candidate in 2016.

The race is rated Leans Republican by the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call.

Photo: Dana Beveridge via Flickr