Sources within the Ohio Democratic Party say Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory's name is on the short list for a possible appointment that would involve Mallory leaving local government for a return to state politics.
Mallory is among the Democrats being considered to replace Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray if Cordray is elected as state attorney general in November, sources said. Cordray is seeking the latter office after Marc Dann resigned following a sex scandal earlier this year.
Top Ohio Democratic leaders would prefer that an African American fill the treasurer’s spot to give the party more diversity at the state level, according to sources. Besides Mallory, another possible replacement that’s being mulled is Columbus City Councilman Kevin Boyce.
CityBeat asked Mallory today about whether he’d been approached about the appointment and, if so, if he’d consider the offer. The mayor declined comment.
Mallory was elected mayor in 2005 after he left the Ohio Senate due to term limits.
Mallory served at the statehouse for nearly 11 years. He was elected to the first of two terms in the Ohio House in 1994, replacing his father — William Mallory Sr. — who retired after three decades in the legislature. In 1998 the younger Mallory was elected to the Ohio Senate.
Mallory is eligible to run for a second mayoral term in 2009. If he were to leave City Hall for a return to Columbus, it would throw that race wide open.
Some names mentioned by political observers and Democratic Party insiders as possible mayoral candidates in Mallory’s absence include John Cranley and David Crowley, both Democratic city councilmen who are facing term limits, the latter of whom would become the incumbent mayor if Mallory left; Roxanne Qualls, a Charterite city councilwoman who served as mayor in the 1990s, when the office held less power; and Hamilton County Coroner O’Dell Owens, a Democrat who’s been outspoken on public safety and crime issues.
None of the politicians so far have expressed interest in seeking the mayor's office next year.
— Kevin Osborne
Where would Jim Tarbell fit? He's already been vice-mayor.
Posted by: David E. Gallaher | June 30, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Oh no, 3M isn't going State again. In fact, he isn't going City again.
When are the voters going to wake up & realize 3M didn't do spit in the State when he was squatting up there on taxpayer money? Take a good look at what he's done for Cincinnati since taking that Mayor's Throne. I'm still waiting for him to start delivering on his campaign promises, which now seems to be a bunch of hot air.
He needs to go out & W-O-R-K like the rest of us who are struggling with gas prices, groceries, taxes, utilities & all the other things that are leaving us flat broke. Politician my foot! No more Mallorys!!
Posted by: Miss Fannie | June 30, 2008 at 10:45 PM
If they DARE appoint Mallory - the most incompetent, arrogant, fool of the Mallory clan - I will vomit.
I have no problem with diversity on the state level - but, this is scraping the bottom of the barrel - How about Chandra? or Kearney? or Yates (in that order). Mallory sucks.
Posted by: anon | June 30, 2008 at 11:37 PM
11:38PM: "If they DARE appoint Mallory - the most incompetent, arrogant, fool of the Mallory clan"
Have you not heard of Dale?
11:38PM: "I will vomit."
Don't get any on the Mayors suit as he will find a way for the City to pick up the tab.
Posted by: Jail For Dale | July 01, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Shouldn't Mark be judged based upon the content of his character and not the color of his skin?
Mayor Crowley: God save us all.
Mayor Cranley: whatever.
Mayor Qualls: Newport on the Levee/Aquarium/Hofbrauhaus. Nufsed.
Posted by: Not the Mamma Cass! | July 01, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Don't we have anyone besides Cranley, Crowley and Qualls?
Go to the other members of Council or let Pepper have a crack at it.
Posted by: anonymous | July 01, 2008 at 11:20 PM
"Shouldn't Mark be judged based upon the content of his character and not the color of his skin?": N the MC
That would exclude him from holding office.
Posted by: Jail For Dale | July 02, 2008 at 05:01 AM
mark's better than dale
they are both better than their reprobate old man.
joe. wm, and dwane are not fannie's kids, and only family by myth creation.
the mallorybillies belong in jail and not elected office.
Posted by: marksgerbil | July 02, 2008 at 10:06 PM