Congratulations to Ohio gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell, who picked up the endorsement of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush yesterday. Momentum in Ohio is clearly in Blackwell’s favor as the May 2 primary approaches.
Blackwell isn’t the candidate of the GOP establishment in Ohio, but he’s certainly a winner among an impressive list of supporters, which now includes (according to the AP): former U.S. Rep. Jack Kemp, Arizona Sen. JohnMcCain and two other Republican governors, Rick Perry of Texas and Mark Sanford of South Carolina.
Blackwell has long been a favorite of HUMAN EVENTS editors, and while we’ve made no official endorsement in the race, Blackwell, in my opinion, is the best candidate for the job. Having met him last year at an event in Washington, I must say he’s one of the most impressive public officials I’ve ever met.
Blackwell has a tough road ahead. He must first dispose of Atty. Gen. Jim Petro in the GOP primary. Then he’ll likely face Democratic Rep. Ted Strickland in the general election in November. A poll taken by Zogby in late March had Strickland up, 47%-41%, in a match-up with Blackwell, which is much better than Strickland’s 46%-31% lead over Petro.
