Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) officially announced Monday morning that, "After prayerful consideration and much thought, my wife Janet and I have decided that I will not seek a third term in the United States Senate."Voinovich (left) is the fourth Republican Senator to officially announce his retirement, putting the GOP in a tough position yet again in 2010.
This retirement gives the Democrats a good opportunity to flip the seat in 2010, when the seat will be vacant. It will also likely set up a competitive primary on both the Democratic and Republican sides.
On the Democratic side, Reps. Tim Ryan, Betty Sutton and Zack Space as well as Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner are often mentioned as potential candidates. Within hours of Voinovich's announcement, Ryan publicly confirmed his interest in running for the seat, while Fisher is reportedly leaning against running.
On the Republican side, Rob Portman--a former congressman, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and US Trade Representative under President Bush--is strongly considering a run, and would be the heavy favorite for the nomination. Portman had announced earlier that he would be interested in running if Voinovich decided to retire, and has already been laying the groundwork for a run, according to The Hill.
Portman is thought to be able to clear the Republican primary field, as he reportedly has the support of the national party and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). He will also reportedly will unveil Mercer Reynolds, the finance chairman of President George W. Bush's reelection race, to head his fundraising efforts. Portman is expected to officially announce his candidacy on Wednesday.
Former Rep. John Kasich has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, but he is widely thought to be more interested in challenging Gov. Ted Strickland (D) in 2010.
In the last two election cycles, the Democrats have made great strides--in 2006 they took over a Senate seat and the governor's mansion, and Barack Obama won the state in 2008.
With all of these retirements and what looks like another an unfavorable map for the GOP, it is becoming abundantly clear that Democrats will likely achieve a 60+ seat filibuster-proof majority after the 2010 election. It is also becoming obvious that some of these Republican Senators in their 70s are not wild about the idea of living out the rest of their years in the minority, and are getting out before it gets worse.
New NRSC chairman John Cornyn must be having an ulcer.
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