The first of the presidential candidates filed today for the Ohio ballot. Barack Obama's campaign gathered with supporters and elected officials from all over the state to hand over the petitions to the Ohio Secretary of State. Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman led the contingent.
Coleman said Obama represents a new generation of leadership who can unite the country. State representative Ted Celeste agreed saying the type of change he believes Obama will bring to the presidency makes it easier to find supporters.
"Barack Obama brings a positive message for change that this country so desperately needs and I think that is why we have had such a great response, both here today and the signatures on these petitions," Celeste said.
Fellow state representative Tracy Heard urged people to go out and vote saying the country is ready for someone like Obama.
"Is our country ready for an african american president? I say absolutely so. All we have to do is show up and vote and Iowa you are first up," Heard said.
The campaign collected 3,000 signatures in support of Obama and needs at least one thousand of those to be valid in order for Obama to be on the ballot. The deadline to file for the Ohio ballot is Friday afternoon.