Now that we're past Labor Day, political campaigns are intensifying. It's the time when voters are more likely to pay attention to the choices they will be making in November.
WVXU political reporter Howard Wilkinson has been closely watching Ohio’s statewide races, most of which have been relegated to the sidelines amid a competitive gubernatorial contest.
Attorney General
Of the five major statewide races, only one of them – the governor’s race – has received significant attention. Democratic candidate Rich Cordray will face Republican candidate and current Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine in November.
But Wilkinson said he expected more media attention for the race determining DeWine’s replacement as Ohio’s next Attorney General.
“(The race) deals with so many hot button issues and there’s so much for the opposition to run on,” Wilkinson said. “They’re basically running against Mike DeWine.”
Republican State Auditor Dave Yost and Democrat Steve Dettelbach are the candidates. While Dettelbach has spent the past few months raising funds and promoting his messages, Wilkinson said it is hard for him to get his message out with DeWine and Cordray “sucking all the air out of the room.”
One of Dettelbach’s messages is based around ECOT, the failed charter school that still owes $60 million to the state. DeWine has been criticized for not going after the school, but recently filed a lawsuit against several of its former officials and companies owned by the school’s founder Bill Lager.
“That scandal has touched a whole lot of primarily Republican office-holders in Columbus,” Wilkinson said.
State Auditor
The Attorney General’s race is not the only one touched by debate and policy surrounding ECOT. The race for State Auditor – with Republican former Senate president Keith Faber and Democratic former congressman Zack Space – is also affected by ECOT.
“Keith Faber took a whole lot of money from ECOT and has returned it,” Wilkinson said. “But it still begs the question: Why did (he) take that much money from an organization like this?”
But according to Wilkinson, it’s not just ECOT that could be a focus.
“I think the Democrats are doing the best they can to make it a referendum on (ethical problems in the legislature), whether it’s ECOT or any other number of issues, (including) Cliff Rosenberger, the investigation against the former Speaker of the House,” he said.
Rosenberger, a Republican, resigned as House Speaker earlier this year during an investigation into his relationship with payday lending lobbyists.
Secretary Of State
One of the most important races this November focuses on two candidates from Northeast Ohio with two seemingly similar campaign platforms. Democratic State Rep. Kathleen Clyde and Republican State Sen. Frank LaRose will face off for Secretary of State this election.
“I don’t see a great deal of difference between the two of them,” Wilkinson said. “I think Kathleen Clyde has been a more aggressive advocate of allowing people to vote under any circumstances.”
Clyde has also been vocal against Ohio’s voter purging process, which was upheld through a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June. Clyde has said she will put an end to the practice if elected.
LaRose also supports opening up voting and has even advocated for campaign finance transparency.
“He almost sounds like a Democratic liberal when he’s talking about the electoral system,” Wilkinson said.
State Treasurer
The final race of note, and likely the most overshadowed state race, is the race for State Treasurer. Wilkinson called Democratic candidate Rob Richardson “an interesting guy.” Richardson was the chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Cincinnati, but is also known for his bid in the primary election for Cincinnati mayor last year, which he lost.
Wilkinson said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper has always liked Richardson.
“(Pepper) thought (Richardson) would make a great statewide candidate, and particularly because the fact he’s African American,” Wilkinson said. “And he’s the only African American out there on the ticket.”
Robert Sprague is Richardson's opponent.
