Luken for council?

Enquirer Statehouse reporter Jon Craig broke the news Tuesday that Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken is being recruited for a job pushing a state constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling and slot machines at racetracks.

Luken said in an interview that he was considering the job, but made clear he would not step down as mayor until his term ends Dec. 1.

But he also revealed for the first time that he's considering several options after his term as mayor ends, including -- get this -- a run for City Council.

Luken said he has discussed the possibility of another council run with several people in recent months. Other possibilities: a job at a local law firm (he's taking continuing legal education classes to reinstate his law license) or an appointment to a state board or commission. He's also qualified, of course, to anchor the evening news.

"The City Council thing is even more remote. But I don’t rule anything out because I talk to people about different opportunities and combinations of opportunities," he said.

Unlike mayor, City Council is a part-time job that would be compatible with other employment. And it would have the added benefit of giving him two more years in the Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio, where he needs just a few more credits to retire with a state pension.

And there's precedent: His father, Thomas A. Luken, came back for an encore term on City Council from 1993 to 1995, after more than seven terms in Congress.

(Photo by Michael E. Keating/The Cincinnati Enquirer)