Sen. Kevin Coughlin ends gubernatorial campaign

By Chad D. Baus

Just six weeks after former Congressman John Kasich officially announced his campaign for governor, Republican State Senator Kevin Coughlin has announced the end of his own campaign via an email to his supporters.

As great as this experience has been, as much as we have learned and as much as I care about the future of Ohio, I have decided that now is not my time.

Coming off of so many years in the legislature and in the current economic environment, I just don't have the motivation to raise the financial resources to wage a successful campaign. My family and I have decided that now is a time to pause and think, not to jump right into a new endeavor.

In January, Coughlin became the first Republican to announce his campaign for governor. When former Congressman John Kasich announced that he too would seek the nomination just last month, Coughlin sent a fundraising letter questioning Kasich's record on the Second Amendment. The email, delivered under the subject header "Can we trust Kasich on Second Amendment rights?," noted that "John Kasich voted FOR the centerpiece of Bill Clinton's gun control agenda - H.R. 3355 banning assault weapons."

Less than two weeks later, Kasich responded with his own statement, asserting that he no longer believes laws against guns can rid our nation of violence and crime.

Despite the June fireworks, Coughlin's email to supporters said nothing of Kasich, but did express his hopes for 2010:

In the upcoming campaign for governor, my hope is that Ohioans will be able to choose from two candidates for who have the courage to put forth detailed and serious agendas to change our state for the better. Campaigns built on empty rhetoric lead to empty rhetorical government. That's been our problem for too long, and it does not serve Ohio well. Especially in these times, we need to expect more from our candidates and our elected officials.

Whether there will be a contested GOP gubernatorial primary remains to be seen. The Republican nominee will likely face Gov. Ted Strickland in the 2010 general election. Strickland is expected to run for a second term but has not yet made a formal announcement.

Chad Baus is a Member of the Fulton County, OH Republican Central Committee and the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.