Ohio's top Dem. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur weighing run for governor

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1134599645238000.xml&storylist=cleveland

Rep. Kaptur weighing run for governor, deterred by fundraising

12/14/2005, 5:29 p.m. ET
By DAVID HAMMER
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ohio's top-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House says she is considering a run for governor.

Marcy Kaptur, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said union groups have urged her to run against fellow Rep. Ted Strickland for the party's nomination. She said she had been quietly weighing her options because nobody had asked her about her plans before.

"I am considering it, but the seniority I own here and the causes I champion would be put at risk by running in Ohio, particularly at a time when a statewide campaign in a big state requires more money than I can ever imagine," Kaptur told The Associated Press in an interview in her office.

Strickland, of Lisbon, said he would prefer to avoid a primary and save his money for the general election, but acknowledged it can help with statewide name recognition...

[OzarkDem]

1. What are the unions up to?

Why in the world do they want a primary? And why should we give up another Congressional seat?

[Earl from Ohio]

2. Just a note: we wouldn't lose seat

After the GOP gerrymandering, the District is safely Democratic.

Rep. Kaptur has mulled over running for statewide office in the past.

In 2004, she worked hard to see that there were Democratic candidates in every Ohio US House District race. As a result, DeLay and Hassert threw a hissy fit. They pushed the only GOP office holder in Lucas county to run against her and threw a dinner (at a townhouse in Georgetown, owned by the American Trucking Association- a really EVIL special interest group) to raise $280,000 for her feckless opponent. Their only motive was to try and hurt Kaptur's ability to raise funds for other Democratic House candidates.

Marcy carried a load that should have been shouldered by ODP and the DCCC.

Given her decades of service to progressive causes and her stature within our dysfunctional state Party, she's entitled to think it over.

Although in the end, I don't think she will go for it...

[Earl from Ohio]

3. oops

there are a couple of GOPers in Lucas County government if you include judicals and soon to be deposed of Maggot Thurber.