The Ohio Democratic Party's executive committee has decided to not endorse a candidate in the May primary for governor, but the party is picking a favorite in the race for U.S. Senate.
The chairwoman of the Ohio Democratic Party, Liz Walters, said the party's executive committee didn't endorse former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley or former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley in the gubernatorial race because neither candidate wanted that.
"We respect Mayor Cranley's and Mayor Whaley's request for the part not to endorse in the governor's race. We're confident that our eventual nominee will provide Ohio voters a much better alternative to the failed leadership and corruption coming out of Mike DeWine's Statehouse," Walters said.
There had been pressure put on the executive committee not to endorse by two former ODP chairs as well as Ohio College Democrats who issued a statement on Thursday prior to the meeting.
There were endorsements in other key statewide races
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Morgan Harper told the committee she had no illusion that they would endorse her over sitting Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Niles) because he already had a fundraising account with the party and had been renting space at the party’s headquarters.
“To add an endorsement to this list and distributing mailers for only one candidate would be egregious and un-strategic,” Harper said.
Despite Harper's plea, the executive committee endorsed Ryan.
The executive committee also endorsed sitting Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner in her bid for chief justice.
Hamilton County 1st District Appeals Court Judge Marilyn Zayas and 10th District Court of Appeals Judge Terri Jamison were also endorsed for the Ohio Supreme Court.
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