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Do IT this week: Layering
Republican state senator from Falls to spend this year organizing campaign for bid in 2010
By Stephanie Warsmith
and Carol Biliczky
Beacon Journal staff writers
Published on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009
State Sen. Kevin Coughlin plans to run for governor next year.
Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, said Tuesday afternoon he will spend this year organizing his campaign and laying the groundwork for ''the chance to lead this state.''
He said he recently shared his plans with incoming state Republican Chairman Kevin DeWine and ''got a warm and encouraging reception.''
DeWine confirmed he met with Coughlin about the possibility of running for governor but offered a more tepid report on the conversation.
''I gave him the same encouragement that I've given a dozen other ambitious people over the last two months,'' DeWine said.
Coughlin has held out the possibility that he will run for governor for more than a year. He will be term-limited out of his state Senate seat next year. He said he is aware other prominent Republicans, including former U.S. Rep. John Kasich, are rumored to be running.
''The Republican family needs to get the players on the field,'' Coughlin said. ''We've got to get organized — to get the people, the money and resources in place to run for 2010.''
Republicans must come up with a slate to possibly retake the four statewide offices lost to Democrats in 2006: governor, attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state.
Coughlin was involved in a long, ugly and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to topple Summit County GOP Chairman Alex Arshinkoff last year.
He said he's not concerned that he does not have Arshinkoff's support in his bid for governor.
Arshinkoff had little response to Coughlin's announcement.
''When you want to discuss serious news, call me,'' he said.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
State Sen. Kevin Coughlin plans to run for governor next year.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Front Line, KC
Posted 06:05 AM, 01/14/2009
Sorry Kevin, you have burned allot of bridges and your childish tactics have lost you support. You don't have a chance, even against a Governor as bad as Strickland.
Posted 06:15 AM, 01/14/2009
Arshinkoff had little response to Coughlin's announcement.
''When you want to discuss serious news, call me,'' he said.
Isn't this the guy who ducked debate in the election for Republican County Chairman. Isn't this the guy who ducked out of Board of Election meetings to avoid the press? Arshinkoff is a coward good at throwing childish quips from the cheap seats but has never once stood up for Republican values.
The biggest (literally) RINO (Republican In Name Only) of them all. As chairman of the party, he ought to support local candidates for statewide office, not be so immature (again) as to take pot shots against a sitting state senator.
Posted 06:30 AM, 01/14/2009
You did not shut down E-Check as was your first campaign pledge. Also, we don't need anybody prominent to run this state, country or the world. What we need is a leader with some brains and the common sense to apply them.
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 07:33 AM, 01/14/2009
Hey Bryan, did you not promise that as well?
Posted 07:39 AM, 01/14/2009
Coughlin is not fit to run anything! If the citizens of this state vote him in as governor, then Ohio deserves everything it gets!
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:56 AM, 01/14/2009
Who cares?
Posted 08:59 AM, 01/14/2009
Retired, we are already getting what we asked for with Dead Strickland at the helm who has accomplished absolutely nothing. As for Coughlin who want's to get the party on track. You tried that last year when you divided Summit Counties Republican Party. You showed absolutely no leadership when you pulled that stunt and will never be able to hold office again. I would suggest using your influence the next year or so and try to line up a job for the future. I am sure you would look good in a smock working at WALMART or HOME DEPOT.
akron, oh
Posted 09:02 AM, 01/14/2009
I remember when he went door to door in the falls. I thought He was a Jehovah's witness.....
He didnt think I was funny. I said I thought u guys usually ran in pairs?
Posted 09:43 AM, 01/14/2009
Coughlin has only talked about two issues in the state senate: strippers and gambling. He just used this office as a stepping stone. Don't expect anything for the next two years because he's going to be too busy raising funds and running for an office that he can use to get to another office. Save a tree...don't vote for Coughlin.
akron , oh
Posted 09:43 AM, 01/14/2009
May Fong... funny!!!!!
Posted 10:42 AM, 01/14/2009
Arshinkoff is a crook also but your far from Gov material Coughlin... get over yourself, you wont be pres.
somewhere near you, US
Posted 10:59 AM, 01/14/2009
Even though this guy is a twit and I absolutely detest him, if it comes down to strickland and him, Coughlin gets my vote.
Lil' teddy has done nothing to address the REAL problem of this state by focusing on minor fringe element issues the Lemmings support instead of focusing on the core problem of this state.
As Clinton correctly figured out YEARS ago, it's the ECONOMY STUPID!!!
I sincerely hope the other democrat currently given the public trust, Obama, does MUCH better with his chance.
Stow, Oh
Posted 12:14 PM, 01/14/2009
I am not sure why anyone cares what Arshinkoff thinks anymore. He is irrelevant, sadly so is the Summit County Republican Party. They have not won a contested partisan race that matters in years and Arshinkoff has to take the brunt of that blame.
Coughlin, like him or not has been an effective legislator for the last decade or so. He could be a very good candidate for the GOP going forward. His battle with Arshinkoff has only emboldened his supporters (and contributors) and he has established a whole new base of people that respect him for taking on corruption in his own party, i.e. Alex Arshinkoff.
Kaisich is not a viable candidate as he was a responsible party in the downfall of Lehman Brothers, who lost million's from countless Ohioans 401k's?
It should be fun to watch..
The Great City in, OH
Posted 02:20 PM, 01/14/2009
MAN! I am so confused now! I hope and pray it is all sorted out for me when it is time to vote!
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 06:32 PM, 01/14/2009
As usual the Arshinkoff crowd is full of guile and hate. Just name calling and no substance.
Rio Linda, CA
Posted 06:21 AM, 01/15/2009
Shadowe
Now there is the CLASSIC Coughlin move, attack and criticize your opposition, then when they attack back, question their character...
Rio Linda, CA
Posted 06:26 AM, 01/15/2009
Coughlin, like him or not has been an effective legislator for the last decade or so. He could be a very good candidate for the GOP going forward. His battle with Arshinkoff has only emboldened his supporters (and contributors) and he has established a whole new base of people that respect him for taking on corruption in his own party, i.e. Alex Arshinkoff.
Kaisich is not a viable candidate as he was a responsible party in the downfall of Lehman Brothers, who lost million's from countless Ohioans 401k's?
It should be fun to watch..
What's truly comical is seeing how Coughlin could even try to compare himself to Kasich.
Other than political hack, coughlins only job has been an intern in the Cuyahoga Falls Community Development office and he spent his time making a paper clip chain! True story!
Coughlin is so ineffective he couldn't even get the Cuyahoga Falls mayors court stopped, that should have been a slam dunk!
This governor's race is a sham, some guys will do anything to stay away from their wives and children!
Rio Linda, CA
Posted 06:37 AM, 01/15/2009
Shadowe is correct, NOBODY can stir up the guile and hatred among Republicans and Democrats alike as Coughlin....
