Mayor Coleman Out for Governor

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman has ended his bid for Ohio Governor, leaving the Democratic nomination solely in the hands of US Rep. Ted Strickland of Lisbon. When Coleman first threw his hat in the ring this past summer, he was assumed to be the frontrunner and only credible candidate the Democrats would field in 2006. But the recent scandals and constant unpopularity of Gov. Bob Taft led to Strickland entering the race and quickly becoming the favorite among the establishment within the Ohio Democratic Party. Coleman citing family troubles and his current job as Mayor of Columbus, OH that precluded him from running.

St. Sen. Eric Fingerhut (D-Shaker Heights) claimed the field was now wide open and said he would be making a decision soon as to whether or not he would be entering the Democratic Primary for Governor in 2006.