Governor

The dust has barely settled on the 2008 elections -- in fact, in a few Senate and House contests, ballots are still being counted -- but possible presidential contenders are already building foundations they will need to put them ahead of the pack in time for the 2012 Iowa caucuses, a scant 38 months away. For Republicans, the early key to success is holding a governorship, and at least half a dozen chief executives are expected to at least consider a bid for president.

The Ohio Supreme Court has declared Ohio's school-funding formula unconstitutional three times. The court determined it was inequitable because it relied too heavily on property tax revenues that can vary widely from rich to poor school districts.

Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon) has previously tied his success as Governor to his promise to Ohioans to find a plan in 2009 for fixing the way it pays for public schools. This summer, Strickland hosted 11 educational forums around the state to discuss the system. He has now announced an additional six regional forums across the state in November and December focusing specifically on school funding.

Strickland's office said the forums will be an opportunity to garner feedback on Ohio's school funding system before the governor introduces his education reform and school funding proposal in 2009.

Rob Portman will appear at the country's biggest, most-influential meeting of the GOP this week in Miami: the Republican Governors Association.

According to the RGA's schedule, the former U.S. representative from Cincinnati will be on a press roundtable with Govs. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.), Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R-Utah) and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman.

Portman also addressed the RGA during its June meeting this year.  

America has chosen its next president. The House and Senate are set (mostly). So now it's time for the Politicker team to get some rest.

Check back here on Monday for all the latest and greatest political news. For now, enjoy our coverage of Election 2008 from the earliest announcements, through the conventions, to the big day.

The Ohio Democratic Party held a press conference Wednesday, saying that the new Democratic Majority in the Ohio House of Representatives will give Gov. Ted Strickland a legislative partner to help turn around Ohio.

One of the biggest victories for the party on Tuesday night was the Ohio Democrats taking the Ohio House of Representatives from Republican control after 14 years.

The ODP said that by winning back the Ohio House, Strickland now has "a productive legislative partner to help continue to turn around Ohio and improve the lives of working families."

The Ohio Democratic Party has released a statement from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland wherein he congratulated statehouse Democrats "on the new House Democratic majority." 

"The people have spoken," Strickland said. "I want to congratulate Ohio House minority leader Joyce Beatty, state Rep. Armond Budish and House Democrats for their significant victory tonight. I know our new Democratic House majority stands ready to work in a bipartisan manner to help create new jobs, improve access to health care and help make our schools the best in the nation."

Strickland said the Democrats will serve as strong voices for their constituents in the House and will partner with him as they work to move Ohio forward.

"O-H," Gov. Ted Strickland said to the hundreds of people crowded into the Columbus Renaissance Hotel 2nd floor ballroom.

"I-O," they screamed back at him.

Strickland told the crowd of Ohio Democrats that he was proud of his state, following the projections by several news organizations that Barack Obama would win in Ohio.

"What a great night this is," Strickland said, joined on the platform by Ohio Democratic Party chair Chris Redfern, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, Ohio House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, state Treasurer Richard Cordray, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

COLUMBUS -- Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher told PolitickerOH.com that he and Gov. Ted Strickland need a partner in the White House, as well as the statehouse, in order to turn the economic situation in Ohio around.

Fisher spoke while greeting AFL-CIO Ohio president Joe Rugola as he arrived at the statehouse following 21 days and 313 miles of a walking tour of Ohio factories and facilities that have seen job losses in recent years.

"Unfortunately for the last eight years the White House has been rowing in the wrong direction," Fisher said. "We're confident that with Barack Obama and Joe Biden and Gov. Strickland and I moving in the same direction, I have no doubt whatsoever that we can turn Ohio's economy around and better than that, we can move Ohio to the head of the class."

Fisher said Ohio has wonderful assets that can aide in job creation.

Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon) appointed Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory (D-Cincinnati) to the Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration on Friday, among others.

In a series of new appointments, Strickland announced Mallory would be part of the commission designed to develop recommendations on ways to increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of local government operations to achieve cost savings for taxpayers and to facilitate economic development in Ohio.

Strickland also appointed Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez of Toledo to the commission, as well as Cleveland attorney Timothy Downing.

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Baltimore) will fly to Ohio on Thursday to speak on behalf of Barack Obama in a representational presidential debate.

Cardin will spar against Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (R), who will represent John McCain. The debate will be held at Park Synagogue Main in Cleveland Heights.