One party outsider endorses another

Former Democratic Senate candidate Paul Hackett came to the Statehouse in Columbus today to endorse Peter M. Sikora of Cleveland for Ohio Supreme Court.

Sikora, 54, has been judge in the juvenile division of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for 17 years. He faces former state Sen. Ben Espy, 62, of Columbus in the May 2 Democratic primary. The Ohio Democratic Party endorsed Espy.

"I have a special affinity and interest in justice races,'' Hackett said, citing Sikora's longtime legal experience. "I have tremendous confidence in his ability."

Afterward, Sikora gave Hackett a red "Team Sikora" t-shirt.

"I am honored to have your support and endorsement,'' Sikora said, noting people look to Hackett "as a new leader in the Democratic Party.''

Over the past year, Hackett said he got to know Sikora on the campaign trail during his unsuccessful 2nd District congressional run for Congress and later U.S. Senate.

Asked if he'd run again for public office, Hackett said, "Not in this lifetime.''

He said he's enjoying his life at home, hanging out in his Cincinnati law office and stumping for other Democratic candidates, including fellow veteran Lt. Col. Andrew Horn who is running for the 3rd District congressional seat in Louisville, Ky.

Before today's news conference, Hackett said he's also "looking to write a book'' about his short-lived life in politics and military service in Iraq.

He doesn't miss the six to eight hours of daily fund-raising calls.
"What's bad about the process is the money,'' he said. "It's not raising, it's begging. . .You're like a caged animal."

Hackett said he'd much rather spend that time developing solutions to problems.

"Your number one primary focus is raising money,'' he said. "It just seems upside down.''