FitzGerald could face Democratic primary in race for governor

Source: The Columbus Dispatch, OhioDec.迷你倉 30--As expected, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune announced his "intent" this afternoon to designate a treasurer and form a "committee" in pursuit of the Democratic party's nomination for governor next year.Portune, 55, of Green Township near Cincinnati, made the announcement in front of a small gathering at a Cincinnati banquet hall. His remarks were carried live on local TV stations' websites.Earlier today The Dispatch reported that Portune would announce the formation of a committee to seek the nomination -- essentially the next (but not final) step toward challenging likely Democratic nominee Ed FitzGerald in the May primary. The primary is May 6, and the winner would face Republican Gov. John Kasich in the fall.FitzGerald, the Cuyahoga County elected executive, has been able to raise money as a candidate for governor since March. Like Portune, FitzGerald hasn't taken the final step -- filing 1,000 valid signatures and designation of a running mate with the secretary of state by Feb. 5 -- but FitzGerald has the backing of the state Democratic party, most statewide labor groups, and local Democratic parties and would not have trouble collecting signatures once a new running mate is chosen.Portune would be able to raise money for the governor's race by designating a treasurer and filing some paperwork with the secretary of state. In an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer earlier today, Portune seemed to hedge his candidacy, telling the paper that he was running because "there needs to be a choice" but also that he wouldn't file for ballot access if he doesn't gauge enough support over the next montmini storage."I won't file just to be on the ballot," he told the Enquirer.Portune, a county commissioner in Cincinnati since 2000, would seem to have an uphill battle against FitzGerald, even in his home county. The Hamilton County Democratic Party has already endorsed FitzGerald, and local chairman Tim Burke told The Dispatch today that he "made it clear to Todd that I support Ed FitzGerald.""I'm disappointed that this is happening," Burke said of Portune's announcement.Democratic Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld also said he has made it clear to Portune that Sittenfeld supports FitzGerald, and through a spokesman former Hamilton County Commissioner and Democratic candidate for attorney general David Pepper said he supports FitzGerald.But FitzGerald has endured a disastrous month in which his choice for running mate -- state Sen. Eric H. Kearney of Cincinnati -- left the ticket after just three weeks because of the controversy surrounding about $1 million in unpaid taxes and penalties tied to Kearney and his business.Portune was introduced at his news conference today by Steve Reece, father of Democratic Cincinnati Rep. Alicia Reece and owner of the hall where Portune made his remarks."The Ohio Democratic Party is focused on holding Gov. John Kasich accountable, and next fall we will elect Ed FitzGerald governor" along with the rest of the party's slate, Ohio Democratic spokesman Jerid Kurtz said.Dispatch senior editor Joe Hallett contributed to this story.jvardon@dispatch.com@joevardonCopyright: ___ (c)2013 The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) Visit The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) at .dispatch.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存