The Ohio Democratic Party didn't endorse a gubernatorial candidate but it did endorse others

The Ohio Democratic Party's Executive Committee endorsed in the U.S. Senate race as well as top judicial candidates, but did not endorse former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley or former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley in the gubernatorial race. According to party chair Liz Walters, neither candidate wanted the party to make an endorsement.

"We respect Mayor Cranley's and Mayor Whaley's request for the party not to endorse in the governor's race. We're confident that our eventual nominee will provide Ohio voters a much better alternative to the failed leadership and corruption coming out of Mike DeWine's Statehouse," Walters said.

There had been pressure put on the executive committee not to endorse by two former ODP chairs as well as Ohio College Democrats who issued a statement earlier Thursday.

But the ODP voted on endorsements in other key statewide races.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Morgan Harper told the committee she had no illusion that they would endorse her over sitting Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Niles) because he already had a fundraising account with the party and had been renting space at the party’s headquarters.

“To add an endorsement to this list and distributing mailers for only one candidate would be egregious and un-strategic,” Harper said.

Despite Harper's plea, the executive committee endorsed Ryan.

The committee also endorsed sitting Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner in her bid for Chief Justice as well as two judges running to be on the Ohio Supreme Court. Hamilton County First District Appeals Court Judge Marilyn Zayas and 10th District Court of Appeals Judge Terri Jamison were also endorsed.

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