OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL?

DeWine planning to run again

Since Mike DeWine lost to Sherrod Brown in 2006, he has practiced corporate law and taught. Former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, a Republican broomed out of office in the Democratic near-sweep of 2006, wants back in. DeWine on Thursday took the first step toward running for office next year by filing a designation of treasurer statement with the Ohio secretary of state's office. The move will allow him to begin raising money. In a statement yesterday, DeWine did not say what office he plans to seek, but many Statehouse observers say he has an eye on the attorney general's office. "He is troubled by the direction this state is heading and by what is happening in Columbus," DeWine spokeswoman Ann O'Donnell said in the statement. "He looks forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Ohio." If DeWine runs for attorney general, he'll be the second Republican in the race. Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost announced his candidacy in April. Attorney General Richard Cordray, a Democrat elected in a special election last year, plans to run again. Since Democrat Sherrod Brown defeated him in his 2006 re-election bid, DeWine has worked as a corporate attorney for a Cincinnati law firm, a government teacher at three universities and Ohio chairman of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign. DeWine, however, has indicated his desire to run again for statewide office. DeWine had served 30 years as an elected official, including four years as lieutenant governor and 12 years in the U.S. Senate.

By James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH