Wrangling for vacated Supreme Court and Senate seats begins

The Dayton Daily News is reporting that the process to pick a replacement in the Ohio Senate for Republican Jon Husted is underway, and several politicians have already expressed interest.

From the article:

Husted was elected secretary of state Tuesday and is expected to resign from the Senate with two years left in his term, representing the 6th District.

State Reps. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, and Seth Morgan, R-Huber Heights, have expressed interest in the appointment but other candidates are expected, said [Senate President Pro Tem Tom] Niehaus, who is expected to be Senate president for the term starting next year.

Current President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, is leaving the Senate due to term limits.

Niehaus, R-New Richmond, said he has spoken with Lehner and Morgan.

Republicans added two members to their Senate majority Tuesday and will control the Senate 23-10 next year.

The replacement for Husted will be chosen by Republicans in the new Senate term, said Niehaus.

...The 6th District covers most of the suburban areas of Montgomery County.

Niehaus told the newspaper that senate leadership is expected to meet next week to discuss the process and appoint a screening committee.

State Rep. Seth Morgan, who chose not to run for reelection so that he could pursue a primary campaign for Auditor of State. He received an A -rating from the BFA, and was co-endorsed with the eventual primary (and general election) victor, Dave Yost.

State Rep. Peggy Lehner was first elected in 2008. However, she has never returned a BFA candidate survey, and has no votes in the House by which to evaluate her support for gun rights.

Meanwhile, BFA endorsee Maureen O'Conner's election as Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court means her spot as Justice is now open. Governor Ted Strickland is expected to appoint her replacement before his term ends.

The many gun owners who voted for Strickland will no doubt be expecting him to appoint a pro-gun person to fill the open slot.

[UPDATE: Nov. 8, 2010 - Report: Cordray among those considered for Ohio Supreme Court vacancy]