I suppose that this could be construed as a good news/bad news situation. The good news is that Jim Jordan won’t run for Rob Portman’s senate seat in Ohio, the bad news is that Jordan is still in politics at all. Oh, well, can’t have everything, right? The Hill:
Jordan “is solely focused on representing the great people of Ohio’s Fourth District, and will not be running to fill the seat of retiring Senator Rob Portman,” a spokesperson for the congressman’s office told Cleveland.com.
“Mr. Jordan believes at this time he is better suited to represent Ohioans in the House of Representatives, where as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, he can advance an America first agenda, promote conservative values, and hold big government accountable.”
So that begs the issue of which Republican superstar will want to compete for the seat.
I hadn’t realized he was representing anyone but the Freedom Caucus.
There are no Republican superstars in Ohio. Did you look at the long list of GOP’ers said to be “looking at” it? Ever heard of any of them? Neither has anyone in Ohio! Ohio’s GOP caucus is an indistinguishable batch of worthless back benchers. And no one knows who the statewide officials are other than Mike Dewine. The best known, lieutenant governor Jon Husted, has also withdrawn his name, likely because he’s lusting after the governorship whenever DeWine retires (Husted is young enough to wait until 2026 when he’ll still be in his 50s).
I just pray that Democrats don’t get stupid and fall in love with a weak candidate for superficial reasons, such as Dr. Amy Acton, whom people are gushing about because she was a voice of sanity as director of the Department of Health in the early days of the pandemic when the crazies in the legislature were openly threatening our health. She was also awkward in the spotlight, an unexciting speaker, and we have no idea what her positions are on anything. Or go with the safe white man the insiders all know and think he has “name recognition” but he doesn’t (Tim Ryan, ugh).
I’m seeing people suggest Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and I love her too and would be all for it — if she were at least ten years younger (she’s 70, way too old to start a senate career).
I’d like to see a woman, but a much younger one, such as house minority leader Emilia Sykes (35), former state legislator Kathleen Clyde (41) or Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley (45). Nan may be looking at the governor’s race though and we need a strong candidate there too.
The people promoting Ryan, in addition to making the mistake of thinking he has “name recognition” when only political junkies know him, would be the latest iteration of the white male party regular whose “turn” it is — like Lee Fisher in 2010 and Ted Strickland in 2016, both of whom Rob the Spineless beat easily. And Ryan has gambled on trying to bring Democrats-turned-Trump-supporters back, making an appeal to white, blue-collar men. That’s a losing strategy in an off year when you don’t try to persuade or get the unenthused to the polls — you get the base out. It’s also proved a loser for Tim in his own Trumpifying district, which was gerrymandered to be 20+ Democratic. He never lost by less than that (one election he won by 60 points!) but his margin had been shrinking recently and the past November it plummeted to an alarming 7.5% against the atrocious Chrissie Hagan. With his own district souring on him and his strategy of aiming for the Trump base failing, he’d be a bad bet for a statewide race where we have to supercharge urban, black and female turnout.
Translation: He’s saying he’s got a rock solid gig due to gerrymandering and isn’t willing to risk it in a stetewide race – especially not in the Columbus market which would vote huge (even many Republicans) against him. He’s already got a national profile, and knows because of the sex scandal at OH State he’ll never be President. So the rest of the country will be afflicted with his presence in the House thanks to the goobers of his district.
Too bad Lebron James wants to play in the NBA when his son gets there.
Jim and I have little in common…one thing we share might be never wanting to work in the Senate in any position because of the suit jacket requirement. Barf.
Actually, Ohio looks to lose 1 House seat after Census results are finalized and redistricting is supposed to be completed in time for the 2022 elections. Right now, Jordan’s district is bordered by 5 other GOP districts and 1 Democratic district.
Additionally, in 2018, the state’s voters passed a measure intended to put an end to gerrymandering (the measure itself was supported by members of both parties in the legislature). And Jordan aligns himself with that GOP faction that tends to support term limits and a run in 2022 to keep his seat (or just stay in the House depending on redistricting) will put him in his 9th term, which is about twice what most of the “term limits” faction generally supports.