Blackwell/Petro/Montgomery running mates - start checking

[mtnester]

as indicated below from forwarded Email I received.

FIVE LEGISLATORS ON BLACKWELL'S INTERVIEW LIST FOR RUNNING MATE;

Officials with Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell's gubernatorial campaign were scheduled to interview 10 potential candidates for lieutenant governor on Wednesday and Thursday, with an eye toward making a final selection by the end of the year.

The list of potential candidates, according to the campaign, includes
several state and local officials - including five sitting state
lawmakers and one current member of Governor Bob Taft's cabinet.

The lawmakers being interviewed are Sen. Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) and
Republican Reps. Courtney Combs of Hamilton; Tom Raga of Mason; Linda
Reidelbach of Columbus and John White of Kettering.

The list also includes Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Fred
Dailey and appeals court judge and former state Rep. Bill Batchelder,
who is also considering a run for the House.

Former U.S. Rep. Bob McEwen, Alliance Mayor Toni Middleton and Franklin County Recorder Rob Montgomery are also among the contenders.

"We have received some great suggestions from people all across Ohio,"Blackwell campaign chair Lara Mastin said. "And these interviews will help us decide which candidate is the befit fit for the secretary ofstate in his campaign to restore Ohio's pride and economy."

Ms. Mastin, Cincinnati lawyer David Langdon and Butler County
businessman Rick Segal are conducting the interviews.

Mr. Blackwell is facing Attorney General Jim Petro and State Auditor
Betty Montgomery in the May primary election. Mr. Petro has selected
Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich as his running mate; Ms.
Montgomery has not announced a selection.