Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has made it clear from the start of his Senate run that he's focused on the Republican incumbent. But he still has a primary to win.
Strickland has mostly treated a spirited primary challenge by Cincinnati councilman P.G. Sittenfeld as a pesky annoyance. At an editorial board meeting in Cleveland Strickland said he didn't see a reason to give Sittenfeld a platform.
The 74-year-old Strickland has state Democratic Party support and President Barack Obama's endorsement. The 31-year-old Sittenfeld has the endorsement of former Gov. Dick Celeste and some other veteran Democrats.
Republican Rob Portman also has a primary, but his campaign has also been anticipating a race with Strickland
Fifteen Republicans vie to succeed former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner in his western Ohio district.