Ted Strickland Will Run For Senate Seat

In an announcement Wednesday, former Gov. Ted Strickland declared his intent to challenge incumbent Sen. Rob Portman next year: "I'm running for the United States Senate in 2016 because I am determined to restore the American Dream for working people in this country. I believe in the American Dream because I've lived it."

Portman isn't picking up great numbers in name-recognition polls so far, though he's got a wide base of moderate-conservative support throughout much of Ohio. Strickland — who'll be 75 years old next fall — left his governorship with around a 39-percent approval rating. He held down that position for four years (2006-2010) and also served as U.S. congressman for a cumulative 12 years.

These are heavyweight Ohio candidates, and the campaign finances should be off the charts.

P.G. Sittenfeld, a 30-year-old member of Cincinnati City Council, has also entered the race. He's a Democrat who has picked up deep support from Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt.