GOP names candidate for Attorney General

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that a lawyer who made a name for himself in the 1990s prosecuting drug dealers and baseball legend Pete Rose will be the Republican candidate for Ohio attorney general in November.

From the story:

D. Michael Crites, whose election experience is limited to one term on the Olentangy Local School District board, rose to the top of a small pool of Republicans willing to take on Democratic state Treasurer Richard Cordray for the job.

Republicans think that Crites' legal acumen -- he has a stellar rating in a lawyers' peer-review system -- and extensive military background will compensate for his relative lack of name recognition and fundraising experience.

As reported first on Dispatch.com, Crites confirmed Monday afternoon that he'd been approached by Ohio Republican Party officials about running in November, and a source said yesterday that the 60-year-old Powell resident is the party's choice.

...Crites, Cordray and independent candidate Robert M. Owens are expected to be on the ballot for the November special election to replace Democrat Marc Dann, who resigned as Ohio's top lawyer in May.

The story goes on to note that Ohio Republican Party picked Crites after a number of higher-profile prospects, such as former (anti-gun) attorney general Betty D. Montgomery and former (anti-gun) U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, opted out.