Ohio’s Democratic Party is still looking for a candidate to run for House Speaker John Boehner’s soon-to-be-empty seat. He is leaving office at the end of October.
During a conference call Wednesday, reporters asked former state Sen. Nina Turner, who is now serving as the party’s engagement chair, for the names of some potential contenders, like P.G. Sittenfeld.
Turner says there are certainly a few possibilities, but pointed out Boehner’s district is heavily Republican and will be a challenge for a Democrat.
“Well, the entire state has been gerrymandered to hell. But we can’t let them just take that seat," she said. "We gotta get in there and fight for it and because P.G. Sittenfeld is a councilman from Cincinnati, he’s been out in the state since last year. He would have good name ID and recognition.”
Sittenfeld has been running for the Democratic nomination in the race for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman. He’s also said he has no interest in running for the 8th congressional district. The only other Democratic name mentioned has been Connie Pillich, who ran against Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel last year. But she released a statement saying she’s not interested in the race either.
On the Republican side, state Sen. Bill Beagle announced yesterday that he intends to run. Former Boehner contender and Troy teacher J.D. Winteregg also entered the race. No election date has been set. Gov. John Kasich will make the final decision about a date and the Secretary of State's office will work out the details.
