The election of 2015 hasn’t even happened yet, but there are already suggestions that Republicans are planning way ahead.
Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor has filed paperwork for a PAC called Onward Ohio, possibly to run for governor in 2018. Secretary of State Jon Husted is also said to be interested - and Attorney General Mike DeWine has said he’s thought about it too: “Well, certainly, but I think what we should be concentrating on doing right now is re-electing Rob Portman to the US Senate,” DeWine said.
Senate President Keith Faber of Celina says he’ll run for the House next year – if he wins a two year term he could still run for Attorney General in 2018. And Akron-area Senator Frank LaRose is expressing an interest in the Secretary of State’s office. The Ohio Republican Party is also looking past this year - it’s already endorsed two candidates in the 2016 Ohio Supreme Court contest. The Ohio Democratic Party has also endorsed in a key 2016 race, backing former Gov. Ted Strickland, who faces Cincinnati City Councilman PG Sittenfeld in the March primary.
