FitzGerald's a big fish in the statewide pond: Brent Larkin
31.12.69
There was an unintended consequence to the 2009 decision by voters to dramatically restructure Cuyahoga County government.
The creation of a single dominant figure in county politics guarantees that whoever holds the position of Cuyahoga County executive will be viewed as a potentially viable candidate for high statewide office -- notably governor or senator.
It's true today with County Executive Ed FitzGerald. And it will be true 50 years from today with whoever holds the office.
That's why FitzGerald's brief tussle with Secretary of State Jon Husted over the mailing of absentee ballot applications was so significant. Although both sides can claim victory from the compromise that followed, FitzGerald will be able to take credit for a result certain to please Democrats all over the state -- a promise to mail absentee ballot applications to every Ohio voter before next year's crucial presidential election.
This doesn't mean FitzGerald, a Democrat from Lakewood, is already planning a statewide campaign for 2014. It does mean Republicans will be watching him carefully.
Source: Plain Dealer