Gardner, old foe compete for Ohio Senate’s top spot

Toledo Blade
September 2, 2003

COLUMBUS - For 15 years, Randy Gardner walked up the steep path to power in the Ohio House of Representatives.

In 1998, the Bowling Green Republican became the No. 2 House Republican, one step from wielding the gavel as speaker.

But he never became speaker.

Term limits stopped Mr. Gardner. In 2000, he ran for the state Senate and won. His GOP colleagues elected him majority whip - in charge of lining up votes on critical bills. Two years later, he was chosen as the No. 2 GOP senator.

He is one step from grasping the gavel as president.

But an old rival, state Sen. Jeff Jacobson, a Republican from Montgomery County, is vying for the post.

The outcome is uncertain, both men say. The stakes are enormous, observers agree.

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Along with the governor and the speaker of the House, the Senate president wields enormous power.

Republicans, who control the Senate 22-11, will determine whether Mr. Jacobson or Mr. Gardner - or a compromise candidate - will succeed Doug White of Manchester as Senate president. Term limits bar Mr. White from running for re-election.

In 2004, voters will fill five Senate seats now held by Republicans who can’t run for re-election because of term limits. Mr. Jacobson and Mr. Gardner are among eight GOP senators who will be seeking re-election.

Forecasts of when a decision will be made on the next Senate President have ranged from next month to late 2004.

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