Senate 2010: Brunner & Fisher Eye DC

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Ohio, Ohio Government
• Date: Feb 17,2009

I think statewide announcements deserve an update on this basically defunct blog, don't you?

Jennifer Brunner is running for Senate!
Lee Fisher is running for Senate!

I covered what I thought at the Keeler Report. In summary, here is what i said:

1. I am stupefied by all the Democrats who were begging her to run again for SoS – pitching the "team player" angle – and thought it would work. Open Senate seats come along maybe once but probably not twice in a career of a politician. Brunner obviously doesn't see herself as just a Secretary of State. This was her chance and she would have been borderline stupid to not take it. She will have the full-backing of 60th vote Sherrod which will be worth something. She cares more about herself than the Apportionment Board. So would you if you were her too.

2. Saying that Brunner doesn't see herself as a career SoS, she also knows that if Strickland wins in 2010, AG Cordray is the party choice for Governor if he wins in 2010 as well. That must have played a factor in her thinking. And she must have felt both would happen. Not saying they will, just saying that is what she thinks.

3. While 60th vote Sherrod will support Brunner, Fisher will have the backing of Strickland and what he controls…..at least the two of them will have that backing as we start out.

4. Dispatch: Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason might replace Brunner in the SoS race. I guess? Though Brunner is a formidable candidate, her departure does bring about a major opening for the Ohio GOP to take that seat back and hold the Apportionment Board. I wonder, deep down, if the Ohio GOP would rather win the Senate seat or Brunner's. Actually, I am fairly sure it is Brunner's.

5. Will this push out others in the Democratic field – or encourage them to get going on their bid? Neither Fisher or Brunner is backing down – and you can't expect anyone to with this opportunity. If Brunner and Fisher are both going to run and there will not be a clear field, there is no incentive for any of the other possibilities to stay away. It might be easier for someone like Betty Sutton or Peter Lawson Jones to win in a fractured primary – much like Sutton did for her congressional seat in March 2006. (I think this is the most important point).

6. I guess with Fisher making it official that means Bill O'Neill won't be running. He said he wouldn't run if Fisher did. What a relief.

I also think it is important that we note prediciting this race so far out would be foolish. Ask George Allen, Tom Daschle, and Ted Stevens about that.

Welcome Back to Columbus, Senator Grendell!!!

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Local, Ohio Government
• Date: Nov 24,2008

Republicans everywhere in Ohio and especially powerful ones in Columbus are not very happy with State Senator Tim Grendell.

Grendell (R-Chesterland, 18th District) found himself unopposed on November 4 for his second term in the Ohio Senate. He was one of only two State Senators who faced no opposition – and the only Republican. Kind of curious.

Both the Democrat (Mark Schneider) and Republican (Carol-Ann Schindel) candidates in the 63rd House District claimed Grendell's support in one of the marquee races from three weeks ago. The 63rd is located in parts of Lake County, which also is part of Grendell's Senate territory. Both Schneider and Schindel had ads
with the Republican Grendell's statements of support. "I am confident that Mark Schneider will provide a strong voice for the families of Lake County in the House of Representatives," one of the Schneider ads quoted Grendell as saying. According to Gongwer (subscription required), House Democrats said their spots stemmed from an agreement with the lawmaker, who would not go as far as an endorsement but agreed to provide the quotes and appear in a picture with Mr. Schneider. The Democrat's campaign produced signed copies of the statements on the candidate's letterhead as proof of the arrangement. But he did say later "I exclusively and wholeheartedly endorse State Representative Carol-Ann Schindel." Way to back your party, Tim. In the end, Schneider won with around 54% of the vote.

It is really a matter of semantics if he endorsed Schneider. But Grendell did agree to appear in his campaign lit and say nice things about him, stopping short of using the word "endorse." He may as well have though. The common understanding is he pulled this stunt in a quid pro quo for running unopposed, even though the Democrats didn't really have a top tier candidate to run against him. So there really wasn't a need to do this. Grendell has a reputation of just looking out for his own best interest and stepping on anyone needed that is in his way, including Republicans, and this would certainly be an example. Grendell has reportedly been getting some very icy treatment from his colleagues.

Grendell has been long known to have his eye on the U.S. House seat of Steve LaTourette. From what I am hearing he can forget that now. He will not get the party backing if the chance ever comes. There has been talk he will lose any possible chairmanship for the next legislative session in Columbus. To say that many of his fellow Republicans in Columbus and the leadership was outraged over his actions is an understatement. Additionally, I was told that tonight at the Lake County Republican Party executive committee meeting the discussion of censuring Grendell will be started.

One local point to add to this. At the April meeting of the Summit County Central Committee, Grendell was the hand chosen parliamentarian of Alex Arshinkoff. Grendell was paid handsomely for his services that night. Real objective.

Early Aftermath

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Congress, McCain, National Landscape 2008, Ohio Government, Presidential
• Date: Nov 5,2008

Not a lot of sleep, not a lot to eat, and not a lot to say right now.

In Ohio, 2 U.S. House Seats were lost and one is still too close to call. The Democrats also took over the State House for the first time since 1994. Local candidates Rich Nero and Randy Cole both lost.

Summit County Republicans took a beating that everyone saw coming. A major beating. But Judge Spicer won and since that was one of two races party leadership actually cared about (other than County Engineer) they will try to claim success. Looking forward to that one.

Things could have been much worse in the U.S. Senate. Ted Stevens, Norm Coleman, and Gordon Smith are leading, and Saxby Chambliss looks headed to a run-off in Georgia as he fell just below 50%. Republicans should keep at least two of these seats and hopefully three. Went to bed thinking Coleman could not make up what he needed with only 2% of precincts left, but was pleasantly surprised to see he is ahead. Thoughts of Franken winning woke me up at least 3 times an hour. The Democrats had a once in a generation chance and so far have only gained 5 seats. That said, it is terrible that Republicans like Ted Stevens and Gordon Smith (outstanding vote not favorable to him) may win while John Sununu lost and Norm Coleman is fighting for his political life against some vile comedian.

Congratulations to Kyle and most other Democrats. Now that I know what the feeling of losing a presidential election is like, it isn't very pleasant. Kyle called me last night to offer his condolences. It was appreciated and showed his class. I do not like Barack Obama, I think he is a far left radical, and do not think he will be a good president. But he will be my president. Nothing bothered me more than when losers who hated Bush would say "he isn't my president." Yes, he was – and still is. And yes, Obama will be mine. And that I respect. I will oppose his polices but at the same time never forget that he was elected by a majority of Americans.

Once I get some food in me, I'll have more.

Ohio Polling Very Inconsistent

• Author: Kyle Kutuchief
• Filed under: McCain, National Landscape 2008, Obama, Ohio, Ohio Government
• Date: Oct 21,2008

Two new polls were released yesterday and posted on Real Clear Politics. The first poll by Suffolk (never heard of them) of 600 likely voters showed Obama leading by 9% with 51% Obama and 42% McCain. The second poll by Fox News / Rasmussen of 1,000 likely voters showed McCain ahead by 2% with 49% McCain and 47% Obama. The inconsistency of the polling helps add to Ohio's mystique as the key battleground in the final days of the election.

Kasich in Hudson for Nero

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Moran / Nero, Ohio 2008, Ohio Government
• Date: Oct 17,2008

This past Tuesday I attended a fund raiser for State Representative Rich Nero at Lake Forest Country Club. Former Congressman John Kasich was the featured speaker. Kasich really hammered home how important it was that Republicans hold on to their narrow majority in the Ohio House. Kasich is currently traveling around the state to help Republican candidates (he also spoke on behalf of Randy Cole for his race in the 41st earlier that day). Also he might be running for Governor. So that may have something to do with it. He was a good speaker and has a pretty solid stump speech and made excellent point after point as to why Nero would be better for the district than his opponent. If everyone could have heard Kasich's common sense talk on the race, Nero would win in a landslide.

Rich spoke before John and talked about the mailer I mentioned last week and the ABJ condemnation of it. People who have been going door to door for him said a surprising number people have taken notice of the Beacon calling out Mike Moran and the Democrats for their despicable ad. Residents of the 42nd are aware of it. That can only help.

Races like this one in the 42nd will help to determine the outcome of who comes out ahead on November 4 here in Ohio. Like we mentioned in our video the other night, high level surrogates on both sides are trying to swing this race. This is a split district and will probably come down to the wire. Rich has been out campaigning hard and knows it is going to be tight, won or lost precinct by precinct. It was good to see a number of prominent local Republicans on Tuesday at Lake Forest who understand the significance of Rich's contest, willing to give him an extra financial boost for these remaining days.

Through the course of this campaign, I have gotten to know Rich Nero fairly well. He is in this race for the right reasons. The 42nd has lacked leadership for too long and he just got tired of it and set out to do something about it. Many politicians on both sides of the aisle are not running for the right reasons. I want Republicans to win regardless of the candidate in most circumstances. Of course. That is the same as always and won't change. But in this case, I have witnessed up close the time and money that he has poured into this thing. Ohio Republicans will be down a good man if he doesn't keep his seat.

Side note: While I was at Kasich's website, I found this article from March 2007 in the Dispatch.

"If you travel into small towns like these that exist not just in Ohio but in Illinois, you'll find a lot of people who are hurting," Obama said last week in Columbus. "These are folks who have worked all their lives and don't expect a handout from anybody."

I guess he doesn't include those people in his federal tax cut for people who don't pay federal income tax. "Handout" would be the best word to describe that.

Ohio House Update

• Author: Ben Keeler
• Filed under: Local, Ohio Government
• Date: Sep 25,2008

Here is some interesting information for you. It regards Ohio House District 63. Likely not on the radar screen of too many our readers, but still too good not to print (or type in this case). The 63rd District includes part of Lake County. (map of Ohio House districts here)

The Democrats have found a candidate to face off against incumbent Republican Carol-Ann Schindel. He is Mark Schneider. Hmmm. That name sounds awfully familiar. Let me refresh your memory. In June of 2006, a child rape case was dismissed from Cuyahoga County Court when an assistant county prosecutor didn't show up for court. The prosecutor was Mark Schneider.

Craig faced life because Ohio does have mandatories in this situation, but Judge Eileen Gallagher threw the case out, let Craig walk because prosecutor Mark Schneider was late for court. Mr. Schneider told us he was filing an emergency motion and informed the court about that.
(More from MSNBC, CNN)

Well that is not the point of the post. Schneider recently moved to Lake County (early 2007) after Schindel beat Tim Cassell in November of 2006. Now he is running in the 63rd District. According to a simple records search at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Mark Schneider never voted in Cuyahoga County. In his stump speech, Schneider says he has worked in the prosecutors office since getting out of law school, so that is 9 years. He might have voted in school at Michigan (during his undergrad – no records available that I could find), but not in Cuyahoga where he lived since he got out of law school at Ohio State.

Now he wants your vote.