With Rob Portman, Deborah Pryce, and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien declining the opportunity, it appears that Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost is the favorite – though it is possible that other GOP candidates may seek to be considered as well.

We’ve heard rumblings of this news from our folks on the ground in Columbus over the past week, and now have had it confirmed through Ohio’s blog community.  Ohio Democrats and Republicans have announced they will choose their candidates (separately) on June 21st (it’s a Saturday).  On the Democrat side it appears that the skids have been greased for Democrat State Treasurer Richard Cordray.  Ohio Democrats continue to spin their reaction to the Dann mess as swift – we can expect more of that same drivel when they announce their candidate.  From Legal News Line:

Former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine said Monday he won’t run for Ohio Attorney General in November.

Instead, he said he is focused on helping Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, to win the Buckeye State in November.

“You know, this was a tough decision for me. I think I would have enjoyed very much being attorney general and I would’ve been good at it and cleaned up the messes,” said DeWine, who was unseated in the 2006 midterm elections by Democrat Sherrod Brown.

DeWine, an influential Republican and co-chair of McCain’s Ohio campaign, has yet to endorse a candidate for AG.

Disgraced Democrat Marc Dann resigned as Ohio attorney general last month amid a sexual harassment scandal. Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland appointed Nancy Hardin Rogers to serve as attorney general until the special election is held in November.

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