Article: Ron O'Brien seeks state GOP's nod; Prosecutor intends to battle Tim Grendell in attorney general race

Looks like the guy (Ron O'Brien) who wouldn't even reply to Sondra Stratton's official STRS formal complaint letter to his office now wants Sondra's (and our) votes! He was also a co-prosecutor involved in the plea bargaining circus for Bobby Taft's ethics violations. Petro has been grooming this guy for months for the AG position. STRS retirees certainly deserve better! John, a Proud CORE member
	Posted on Sat, Dec. 31, 2005
	Associated Press COLUMBUS - Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said Friday that he's seeking the Republican nomination as Ohio attorney general, setting up a primary challenge against state Sen. Tim Grendell. O'Brien said he hasn't been making many speeches about his candidacy but is seeking county party endorsements next week. On Dec. 21, he converted his county campaign fund to one for statewide races, which has more restrictions on contribution levels. Attorney General Jim Petro is seeking the GOP governor's nomination. Democrats seeking to replace him are state Sen. Marc Dann, of Youngstown, and Subodh Chandra, the former top prosecutor for the city of Cleveland. O'Brien was part of the task force of prosecutors who investigated Gov. Bob Taft -- who can't run again because of term limits -- for failing to report gifts on annual financial disclosure forms. Taft was convicted in August of four misdemeanor ethics violations. O'Brien also prosecuted the case in the spring against Charles McCoy Jr., the mentally ill man who admitted shooting at cars and buildings near Columbus-area freeways. McCoy pleaded guilty months after jurors in his first trial deadlocked over whether he was legally insane. Grendell, a Geauga County resident, is a private practice lawyer who specializes in property rights law. He is a first-term senator after serving four years in the House. His bill putting a moratorium on government seizure of property for private developers passed unanimously and was enacted this year in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing such seizures.