Hartmann: Nomination, here we come

Howard Wilkinson reports in tomorrow's Enquirer:

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann’s path to become Ohio’s next secretary of state became easier Friday when the Cleveland Republican challenging him in the May 2 primary suddenly withdrew.

State Rep. Jim Trakas told supporters on his campaign website Friday that he was dropping out and endorsing Hartmann, one of two Hamilton County Republicans running for statewide office this year.

“I make this decision knowing that in a very difficult time for Ohio and its Republican party, an expensive primary would detract from the ability of the Republican nominee to be successful in November,’’ Trakas wrote.

Hartmann said he has had several conversations with Trakas over the past few days and said Trakas told him “he figured I was going to end up winning this primary and that it was time to move on.’’

“I’m very grateful to him,’’ Hartmann said.

The Hamilton County Republican is particularly grateful because Trakas’ withdrawal means that Hartmann can hang on to the $420,000 he has in his campaign account instead of spending it in a GOP.

Hartmann is running to replace another Hamilton County Republican, Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, who is running for governor and is locked in a primary battle with Attorney General Jim Petro.

With Trakas’ withdrawal, Hartmann will be unopposed in the May 2 primary and face Democrat Jennifer Brunner in the fall. Brunner is a former Franklin County judge who was a lawyer in the secretary of state’s office when Democrat Sherrod Brown held that office.

The Secretary of State is the state’s chief elections officer, and collects business and licensing records.