I had heard this was in the works a few weeks ago, and it has been discussed quite a bit on Twitter, but now we have a link (that makes it credible, right? Yeah, journalism!)
Wealthy car dealer Tom Ganley (R) is dropping out of the open-seat Ohio Senate race and will challenge Rep. Betty Sutton (D) in the 13th district instead, according to a source familiar with the decision.
The Ganley switch is a coup for Republicans because it gives former Rep. Rob Portman a clear path to the GOP Senate nomination and could put another Democratic-held House seat into play. A recent internal GOP poll showed Ganley leading Sutton by 3 points.
[...]
Now, Ganley can convert the almost $1.3 million in his Senate campaign account to a House account, giving him a large early cash advantage over Sutton, who had only $210,000 at the end of last year.
I think this is very good news – if true – not because Ganley was a threat to Portman (I don’t think he was) but because he can threaten Sutton.
His populism is a better fit for a congressional race and instead of attacking a solid conservative who can hold a seat (and quite frankly, an upgrade from Voinovich) he can attack a liberal and help pick up a seat.
Whether Ganley has the drive and strategy to win a congressional race is yet to be determined but it will be easier in terms of message and geography and will avoid unnecessary inter-party battles while putting Ganley’s money to good use.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
Betty Sutton
Adjoran (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 3:22PM EST (link)Wasn’t she one of the prime House sponsors of the “Cash for Clunkers” boondoggle?
Having a car dealer run against her and explain how the idea was economic nonsense which “created or saved” exactly ZERO jobs sounds like a better use of $1 million+ in campaign money than wasting it in a primary.
I hope this attitude catches on amongst Republican candidates nationally: aim for the low-hanging fruit, it’s ripe-to-rotten and ready for picking!
Indeed - We Need Some of the AR Senate Candidates To Take This Same Hint. (nt)
IJB Wednesday, February 17th at 4:10PM EST (link)and Mark Neumann
redtillimdead (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 4:38PM EST (link)n/t
Nancy Pelosi can kiss my asstroturf.
and Charlie Crist
jfindl2 (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 6:35PM EST (link)I’m a little retread, short and stout. I have no life, I reregister and pout.
Excellent news
KeepOhioRed (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 3:39PM EST (link)This is a D-leaning district, and is Sherrod Brown’s old seat. Unions are a big player here, and Sutton does whatever big labor and Nancy tell her to do.
This district was not in play before, and now all of a sudden it is. Very smart move for Ganley.
5
houstoneagle (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 8:57PM EST (link)Seat by seat, this is how we’re going to do it in November if we do it at all. I am loving the trend I am seeing of little shifts like this to maximize our impact this fall. Pence for Speaker in 2010!
“We preach the conservative gospel of individual liberty and choice and point out the only choice the Democrats want you to have is whether or not to kill a baby.”–Erick Erickson, D-Day 2010
Another link for ya Kevin
KeepOhioRed (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 3:42PM EST (link)Now being reported in the Plain Dealer
http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2010/02/car_dealer_tom_ganley_will_lik.html
OK!
rick554 Wednesday, February 17th at 4:02PM EST (link)Here in Strongsville, we are being sandwiched by Dennis Kucinich and Betty Sutton. This district might be heavily union, but thanks to these 2 we are heavily unemployed union. Now if we can just find someone to escort dennis out of DC!
Rick554
Great move...
neoavatara (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 4:21PM EST (link)I have been hearing rumblings of this as a possibility for weeks, glad it looks like it is coming together. Portman is a strong candidate, and he would have wasted his time in the primary fight. Ganley could be an excellent Congressman, and he is probably the only person with the money to really challenge Sutton in the Dem leaning district. This is a major win-win scenario.
www.neoavatara.com/blog
Ganley Has Been Running An Excellent TV Commercial
Ausonius (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 6:18PM EST (link)for the Senate primary: it can be easily changed for the House race, and yes, that would be a better use of money.
He looks rather grandfatherly: that might not be a bad contrast with Silly Sutton and the Punk-in-Chief in D.C.
Voinovich continues to be a disappointment, as was ex-Senator DeWine, who needs to stay retired.
Ausonius: 310-395 A.D. Teacher, Poet, Consul, General, Farmer.
Personal Tutor to the future St. Paulinus of Nola and to young Gratian, heir to the throne during the turbulent final years of the Western Roman Empire. When his former student Gratian was assassinated, Ausonius threw up his hands and retired to his farm in Gaul. Rome was captured by barbarians 14 years after his death.
Cato@rock.com
Is he against free trade?
jfindl2 (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 6:41PM EST (link)I thought I read somewhere that he was taking protectionist stances on the issue of trade deals. It will actually probably help him in this district, even if it is bad policy.
I’m a little retread, short and stout. I have no life, I reregister and pout.
SC-03 race?
sethduncan (Diary) Wednesday, February 17th at 10:55PM EST (link)Kevin,
I’d like to get your take on the SC-03 race, it’s shaping up to be a Rubio vs. Crist-like race. Jeff Duncan, the leading candidate, was endorsed today by the Club for Growth.
I can arrange an interview with Jeff if you’d like.
Thanks for your time.
Seth
Great News
proudgop (Diary) Thursday, February 18th at 12:04AM EST (link)I believe tomorrow is filing deadline in Ohio?
We have great candidates to take on Kilroy, Drihaus, Boccieri, and now Sutton. I hope we have good candidates against Space too?