It’s official: Ohio’s governor race has 11 candidates, lots of intrigue

After dropouts, both parties seem optimistic.

In 2014, Ohio COLUMBUS —

Democrats faced few choices in the governor’s race. This May, they have eight candidates to consider, including a two-time presidential candidate, a five-time Jeopardy! champion, a former Ohio Supreme Court justice who boasted online about bedding 50 women, and a former male stripper from Dayton.

On the Republican side are just two candidates: long-time statewide officeholders Mike DeWine and Mary Taylor.

Wednesday’s 4 p.m. filing deadline for the May primary election brought few surprises, though some long-shot candidates did turn in petitions. Among them: Larry Ealy of Dayton, a former male stripper who once went by the stage name ‘Lucious Larry.’

Ealy filed for governor as a Democrat, joining political newcomer Paul E. Ray, who also must be considered a long shot, and Jon Harvey, a Cleveland Clinic physician and Army veteran.

The other Democrats whose names have been out there for months are:

■ Richard Cordray, a former Ohio Treasurer and Attorney General who won $45,000 on Jeopardy! in the 1980s;

■ Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who ran for president in 2004 and 2008;

■ Former Supreme Court justice Bill O’Neill, who made headlines with a boast about his sexual activity shortly after announcing his intentions to run for governor;

■ Former Ohio Rep. Connie Pillich, who ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2014; and

■ State Sen. Joe Schiavoni, who is making his first statewide race.

Candidates who dropped out include Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, who ended her candidacy and endorsed Cordray; and former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, who joined Cordray’s ticket as his running mate.

The Republican field has also undergone changes. DeWine, the state’s attorney general with a political resume that stretches over four decades, was joined by Taylor, Ohio’s lieutenant governor for the past seven years; Secretary of State Jon Husted and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci.

Then Husted dropped out to join DeWine as his running mate and Renacci switched races after Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel ended his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Green Party candidate Constance Gadell-Newton, a Columbus-based attorney, also filed to run for governor.

No one filed to challenge Sen. Sherrod Brown in the Democratic Senate primary, but Renacci will face will face four other Republicans in the Senate Republican primary: Cleveland-area businessman Mike Gibbons, Columbus area businesswoman Melissa Ackison, Don Elijah Eckhart and little-known challenger Dan Kiley.

The volume of candidates running in the top two races — governor and U.S. Senate — shows both parties are betting it’ll be a good year for them, said University of Dayton political scientist Christopher Devine.

“Republicans think that Ohio essentially has become a red state, and Democrats think there will be a backlash at the polls against President Trump. Credible candidates only run when they think they can win,” Devine said.

Wright State University political scientist Lee Hannah said more women are running for office across the nation, though the trend is less visible in Ohio. Of the 17 candidates who turned in petitions for governor or senator, 13 are men.

Several of the governor candidates have picked women to be their running mates, however.

Ohio will have some primary challenges in downticket races as well. Here are the list of candidates who filed:

Attorney General: Democrat Steve Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney for the northern district of Ohio; and Republican Dave Yost, the current state auditor.

Auditor: Zack Space, a former congressman from Dover, and Kelli Prather of Cincinnati will face off in the Democratic primary. State Rep. Keith Faber, R-Celina, is running unopposed on the Republican side.

Secretary of State: Democrat Kathleen Clyde, a state representative from Kent, and Republican Frank LaRose, a state senator from Hudson.

Treasurer: Robert Sprague, a state representative from Findlay, and Sandra O’Brien of Ashtabula County will compete in the Republican primary; Rob Richardson of Cincinnati and Neil Patel of Columbus are squaring off on Democratic side.

Supreme Court: Four candidates have lined up for two seats on the court: Republicans Mary DeGenaro of Youngstown and Craig Baldwin of Newark and Democrats Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart, both of Cuyahoga County.

Elections officials will verify that each candidate filed the required 1,000 valid voter signatures to qualify for the May 8 primary ballot. That is expected to be done by Feb 20.

Ballot issues: State lawmakers this week struck a deal with a coalition of reformers to change how Ohio draws its congressional district maps.

The resolution, approved in the Ohio Senate on Monday and the Ohio House on Tuesday, will appear on the May 8 ballot.