Cordray Welcome Crites To The Race With Class

Richard Cordray welcomed his GOP opponent, D. Michael Crites, to the Attorney General race today with the following statement:

"I have always considered my real opponent in this race to be the financial predators who are picking the pockets of hard-working Ohio families through unfair lending and business practices, companies who abandon jobs and workers in our home towns, and anyone who abuses power at a citizen's expense.

But I welcome my Republican opponent, too."

Does it get any better than that? He made Crites seem utterly insignificant without saying a single word attacking him.

The ODP, however, had a little bit more fun with it. They put together a documented list of 13 people who turned down running before Crites accepted. You can find it after the break.

List of Republicans Who Refused To Run For Attorney General

Former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine

"DeWine, considered the party's leading candidate for the job ... outright removed his name from consideration" [Columbus Dispatch, 6/10/08]

Former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman

Portman Said He Intends To Get Back Into Public Service, But AG Not The Right Office.  "I returned from Washington eight months ago, and I enjoy being home," Portman told the Columbus Dispatch, adding that the attorney general opening "is not the best timing for me."  However, Portman said that he "intend[s] to get back into public service in the future." [Columbus Dispatch, 6/1/08]

U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce

Rep. Deborah Pryce's spokesman, Rob Nichols, said that the congresswoman has had "no further conversations with anyone" about running for attorney general.  "It's fair to say that her candidacy would be unlikely," Nichols said. [Columbus Dispatch, 6/10/08]

Former Attorney General Betty Montgomery

Montgomery Said She Will Not Come To Her Party's Rescue.  Betty Montgomery said she will not come to her party's rescue and insisted that she will not reconsider her decision not to run for Attorney General.  "It's been a very painful conversation with myself," Montgomery said. "Had it happened maybe six months ago, I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it. ... What I've found in the last several months is time.  My family is growing up around me. For the last 12 years, I didn't have any time." [Toledo Blade, 6/25/08]

Former Attorney General Jim Petro

"I really didn't feel I was the right candidate to run this time for a variety of reasons, including the short time I could serve," said Petro. [Columbus Dispatch, 6/24/08]

"I talked to [GOP Chairman Bob Bennett] on Saturday and said, 'Look Bob, this is not going to work,' " Petro said. [Columbus Dispatch, 6/23/08]

Delaware County Prosecutor David Yost

Yost Dropped Out Because "There's Not Enough Time" To Build Campaign.  "After I spent the last month putting a team together, a budget, a media plan and all that stuff, the conclusion we drew was that there's not enough time for me to be able to mount a successful campaign," Yost said. [Columbus Dispatch, 6/20/08]

Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper

County Prosecutor Doesn't Want To Take A Pay Cut.  Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper rejected the idea of running for Attorney General.  "I said, 'How much does it pay? Is it true it's $109,000? Well, I make $112,000 or $113,000,'" Piper recalled.  "Why would I want to travel all over the state and make several thousand dollars less, then get a job where I'd have to get a room in Columbus and spend all that money on gas driving back and forth?" [Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/12/08]

State Senator Tim Grendell

State Senator Has Other Business To Finish Such As "Regulation Of Household Septic Systems."  State Senator Tim Grendell said he was not interested in running for Attorney General.  "While my entire legal career ... has prepared me well to serve as Ohio attorney general, there is unfinished business that requires my personal attention."  That unfinished business included "private property and private water rights and finding an acceptable, permanent legislative solution to the regulation of household septic systems." [Wooster Daily Record, 6/3/08]

Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel

"We feel that it's not the right time, either professionally or personally, to make such a move," Hutzel said after discussing the possibility with her husband. [Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/12/08]

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien

"The timing is not right for me, and I'm running for re-election [as county prosecutor]," O'Brien said.  "I don't intend to be a candidate for AG this year." [Dayton Daily News, 6/10/08]

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer

"Mr. Bennett confirmed that he had even approached Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer to see whether he would be interested. He was not, despite the fact that he will be forced to retire from the bench in little more than two years because of his age." [Toledo Blade, 6/22/08]

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor

"The state's most prominent potential candidates ... [including] Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor ... have taken themselves out of contention." [Columbus Dispatch, 6/21/08]

Hamilton County Prosecutor and Former State Treasurer Joe Deters

"Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, a former state treasurer, also has said he's not interested." [Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/12/08]