With today's news of Rep. Deborah Pryce, my US Representative, pulling out of defending her seat, a veritable scramble is underway for the GOP to replace her in the 15th Ohio Congressional District.  Rep. Pryce’s Democratic opponent from 2006, Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy has already pretty much secured her party’s nomination for the race next year and she makes a compelling candidate.  I do not like her, I think she represents everything that is wrong with a certain breed of Democratic politician and would be dangerous in Congress, in fact, I suspect even Speaker Pelosi would look moderate next to her.  That said, Mary Jo will get the nod and should be officically endorsed by the Democratic party next month (I believe).

She was very competitive last year and lost to Rep. Pryce by slightly over 1,000 votes.  It was so close there even had to be a recount.  Of course, the political tsunami that hit Ohio last year is unlikely to repeat itself in 2008, even if the eventual Democratic Presidential nominee wins.  If Mary Jo couldn't do it last year, one might think she simply can't do it.  I certainly don't think she could have beaten Rep. Pryce.  Rep. Pryce had already taken her best shot.  However, if the GOP doesn't get the right candidate, Mary Jo won't need an environment like 2006.  A generally bad, though not disasterous, election cycle could be enough to get across the finish line.  Several possible replacements are in the mix.  Former Ohio Auditor and Attorney General Jim Petro, State Senator Steve Stivers, and State Representative Jim Hughes.  Senator Stivers, an Iraq War veteran, may be the most popular GOP candidate in Franklin County, but he is soon to get married and has the inside track to be the next Ohio Senate President.  He has clearly stated he does not plan to run.  Jim Petro is pretty popular in Franklin County (having won it in his ultimately failed Primary bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination against Ken Blackwell last year) and does have enviable name recognition.  State Rep. Hughes is also well liked in his district.  It will be interesting to watch these developments.

With Sen. Stivers opting not to run, everything seems to show that Petro will likely be the candidate, however, nothing is set in stone, yet.  Bottom line is, this is a seat the GOP must keep to have any chance of regaining the US House.  At the very least, the seat represents a bulwark against further Democrat gains.  Also, I hope I won't be living in an Ohio House seat held by Ted Celeste and a US House seat held by Mary Jo Kilroy.  That bothers me, a lot.  With Sherrod Brown in the Senate now, this is not a good thing for Ohio.  So go Jim, Steve or Jim!  We need one of you to step up in a big way.