A longtime Cincinnati-area officeholder says he plans to run for Ohio governor, setting up a Democratic primary with the county leader from Cleveland.
Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune says he's hearing from rank-and-file Democrats a desire for a choice in the May 6 primary. Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald has been considered the Democrats' presumptive nominee as they seek to take the governorship back from Republican Gov. John Kasich in 2014.
Portune disagrees that a primary could hurt the party, saying it should lead to a healthy discussion of issues and help build momentum.
He spent the last two decades as a Cincinnati city councilman or Hamilton County commissioner. He said Monday he is beginning the steps needed to become a candidate, but that he'll travel throughout Ohio to gauge support before deciding for sure by the filing deadline a month before the primary.