Ed FitzGerald, the Cuyahoga County executive and probable Democratic nominee for governor in 2014, balanced his ticket Wednesday by selecting Eric Kearney (pictured), the Ohio Senate minority leader from Cincinnati, as his running mate.
Kearney, 50, brings racial and geographic diversity – a prominent black politician whose base sits in an important slice of the state where FitzGerald is largely unknown.
The announcement came not through a flashy rollout but in drips, first through party sources briefed on FitzGerald’s choice, then on Twitter in a post by his campaign. The announcement also followed a fresh round of reporting, by the Northeast Ohio Media Group, on the challenges FitzGerald has had attracting support from black leaders.
The partnership materialized quickly, Kearney said during a brief interview at the Statehouse in Columbus. FitzGerald, he said, approached him last week about running for lieutenant governor. They finalized their plans Tuesday, Kearney added.
“It’s been something that is a wonderful surprise, and I really look forward to working with Ed FitzGerald,” the state lawmaker said. “I think it’s a humbling experience [for] anyone who is asked to take on this type of responsibility and this type of work.”
Barring a surprise late entry and victory by another Democrat, FitzGerald and Kearney will challenge the re-election of Republican Gov. John Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.
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