Cleveland Plain Dealer - Eight candidates, so far, enter race to lead Ohio Democrats

(Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Eight candidates, so far, enter race to lead Ohio Democrats

Columbus - Candidates are vying feverishly for victory. Landing endorsements. Issuing policy platforms. Shaking hands. Even fashioning get-out-the-vote plans.

No, they are not running for public office - though it may look like it. They are contenders in the normally sleepy selection of the next Ohio Democratic Party chairman.

With Ohio Republicans injured by scandal and the 2004 presidential vote in Ohio so closely split, more people than anyone can recall are fighting for the blue party's helm.

"The dynamics of this race are different from any other race that I've been involved in or seen," said candidate Dennis Lieberman, chairman of the Montgomery County Democrats. "To get a grip on it is a little bit like herding cats."

Resumes from the hopefuls are due to the party by 5 p.m. today. Prospective candidates were also required to fill out a questionnaire on their vision for the party, which will be disseminated to the 134 Executive Committee members before their Dec. 19 vote.

As of Friday, the announced candidates were: Lieberman; former U.S. Rep. Dennis Eckert; Athens County Democratic Chairwoman Susan Gwinn; former state party Executive Director Bill DeMora; Eric County Democratic Chairman David Giese; Jane Mitakides of Montgomery County; Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune; and Ohio House Minority Leader Chris Redfern of Catawba Island.

Many consider Redfern the front-runner, in part because he has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, the leading Democratic candidate for governor.

But other candidates are still campaigning vigorously - behind the scenes and out front.

Gwinn issued two news releases Friday, one noting three new endorsements, including one from Ohio NOW President Susan Bader; the other laying out her plan for involving more women in the party if elected.

"I think people know we may be fighting for the life of the party," she said, noting that only 10 percent of respondents to a recent Zogby poll believed the Democratic Party was organized.

"I think one of the things we need to do to change their minds is bring a new look," she said. "One of the ways to do that is to have a woman as chair."

While Gwinn promoted her plans, Redfern was taking the shoe leather approach - as he says he has done as minority leader - traveling the state lining up support. In order to swing some Executive Committee members his way, he agreed to step down from his legislative leadership role if elected.

"One of the criticisms of [former Chairman] Denny White was that he was not engaged every day making operational decisions and that weakened the party," he said. "I'll let others judge if that was the case or not. But I'm a much different operator. I'm involved every day, all day."

Lieberman, who along with Eckert expressed interest in the job last time around, said he expects several of the candidates to drop out before the vote is taken. He declined to predict a winner, noting that weather may even be a factor in how many Executive Committee members make it to the vote in Columbus.

"While I think I'm a front-runner, I think it's impossible to say right now who has the most votes," he said. "Anybody who tells you they do is lying."