U.S. SENATE RACE

Local Democrats split Sittenfeld endorsement

2/17/2016

P.G. Sittenfeld, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, is set to pick up endorsements in Lucas County today, revealing that former Gov. Ted Strickland doesn’t have the county’s entire Democratic leadership wrapped up.

Slated to back Mr. Sittenfeld are county Prosecutor Julia Bates, Sheriff John Tharp, Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz, and Toledo Councilman Lindsay Webb. The event is set for 11 a.m. at Georgio’s Cafe International downtown. The endorsers also include former Lucas County Democratic Chairman Paula Ross, former state Democratic Chairman Jim Ruvolo, and the Rev. Donald Perryman.

The winner of the Democratic contest, which includes Cincinnati occupational therapist Kelli Prather, will face either incumbent Republican Rob Portman, or his primary opponent, Don Elijah Eckhart of Galloway, in the Nov. 8 election.

Mr. Kapszukiewicz said the mood in the country is for someone other than establishment candidates, and Mr. Sittenfeld, 31, a Cincinnati councilman, meets that demand.

“In both parties voters have a hunger for something new, something different, something fresh. I think he’s talking about the issues that people are interested in,” Mr. Kapszukiewicz said.

Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he’ll support Mr. Strickland, 74, if the former Ohio congressman and governor wins.

Mr. Strickland’s endorsement event one week ago included county Engineer Keith Earley, Clerk of Courts Bernie Quilter, commissioners Carol Contrada and Pete Gerken, Toledo Councilman Peter Ujvagi, state Sen. Edna Brown of Toledo, Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson, and Lucas County Democratic Chairman Joshua Hughes, and a number of union representatives. Mr. Strickland’s list of endorsers also includes Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez and Recorder Philip Copeland.

David Bergstein, spokesman for Mr. Strickland, said the Republican Party would love to run against Mr. Sittenfeld and provided a list of endorsers in Mr. Strickland’s corner.

“If we’re evaluating the campaigns by endorsements I think this list of 84 leaders and groups who are backing Ted speaks for itself,” he said. 

Contact Tom Troy: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058 or on Twitter @TomFTroy.