The Associated Press is reporting that political analysts believe the narrowing field of Democrat gubernatorial candidates, and the preeminence of Democrat Ted Strickland (a conservative on social issues such as gun rights) is going to bring additional pressure upon the GOP to narrowing their "three-candidate" field for governor now that the Democrats have a front-runner (the AP and OhioGOP continue to ignore the declared candidacy of Republican Pete Draganic).

From the story:

Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, Attorney General Jim Petro and Auditor Betty Montgomery are seeking the Republican nomination.

Bob Bennett, the state Republican chairman since 1988, is considered a master at avoiding primaries, saving campaign money and maintaining party unity. But much work is ahead of him if he is to dodge one on May 2.

No independent statewide polling has been conducted recently, but most polling by the campaigns finds Blackwell leading among Republicans. In response, Petro has been airing a series of television ads, calling Blackwell's plan to curb government spending risky and presenting his own credentials as a values-oriented conservative, ground currently claimed by Blackwell.

Bennett helped to encourage Taft to leave the 1990 race for governor in favor of George Voinovich and persuaded Blackwell to step aside for Taft in 1998.

The party will conduct a poll before the Feb. 16 candidate filing deadline, spokesman John McClelland said. The party hopes the results will persuade at least one candidate to seek another office, he said.

Betty Montgomery is the only one of four GOP candidates who has consistently taken anti-self-defense positions over the past few years. Ken Blackwell is the only one of the three state-wide officeholders who is term-limited and who must seek another office in 2006.

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The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that the field of Democrats interested in running for governor is expected to widen now that Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman has dropped out, leaving pro-gun U.S. Rep Ted Strickland as the primary contender.

According to the newspaper, anti-gun extremist State Sen. Eric Fingerhut of Shaker Heights and trashy TV show host Jerry Springer both are considering a run.

From the story:

"I don't think today's the day for announcements. Today is Mayor Coleman's day, and I really have deep respect for what he's gone through,'' Fingerhut said Tuesday. "There'll be a day soon for announcements for others, including me.''

Fingerhut said he has been getting a lot of encouragement to run, and he is considering it.

"The question here for Democrats is, 'How do we win this election?'

On the day the Buckeye state's concealed carry bill passed into law, Fingerhut told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that "It's going to lead to tragedies and accidents of all kinds." And in 2001, he told the Cincinnati Post that "the presence of a gun is actually likely to escalate violence."

Indeed, 'How do we win this election?' is the question for Democrats, and the answer is surely not to nominate another anti-gun candidate such as Eric Fingerhut.

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Pro-gun legislator considered to head Ohio Democratic Party