Dayton newspaper reports 'short list' of running mates revealed for Blackwell

The Dayton Daily News is reporting that State Rep. John White, R-Kettering, and Sen. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, are on Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell's "short list" of possible lieutenant governor running mates in next year's governor's race.

Buckeye Firearms Association can report that both of the named front-runners have a strong history of supporting gun rights for individuals.

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From the story:

The list is in the "single digits," and is "static, not fluid," said Gene Pierce, Blackwell campaign spokesman.

"John White comes from an important county," Pierce said. "He's an important leader in the Montgomery County Republican Party." White is the county Republican chairman.

Pierce said Jordan, as a two-time NCAA wrestling champion, "knows how to work and knows how to handle himself in a tough election."

Pierce declined to identify others under consideration by Blackwell or say when Blackwell would announce his choice.

However, Lara Mastin of Washington Twp., general chairman of Blackwell's campaign, said the committee would like the search to be finished by the end of the year. She said she is on the search committee.

White, 46, said, "It would be truly an honor to serve with him," but added "this is very much premature."

He also said it would be hard to turn down because "Blackwell is making great strides in becoming the front-runner not just in the primary but in the general election. He's a person of integrity."

Rep. John White is a two-time Buckeye Firearms Association endorsee.

Again, from the story:

Jordan, 41, said he and Blackwell have had "a couple" of conversations about the lieutenant governor's job and that, if asked, he would be interested.

"Everybody knows that I'm supporting Ken. He is, I think, the conservative who articulates the Republican and conservative message in such a great way. I think he'd make a great governor," Jordan said.

Sen. Jim Jordan is received this political action committee's endorsement in 2004.

Ken Blackwell is seeking the Republican nomination for governor against Attorney General Jim Petro and Auditor Betty Montgomery.

Petro already has picked Ohio concealed handgun license-holder Phil Heimlich, a Hamilton County commissioner, as his running mate.

Montgomery, who opposed the concealed carry before it was passed, has not named her choice.