On the heels of P.G. Sittenfeld earning the endorsements of the Akron Beacon Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer over "Retread" Ted Strickland, Sittenfeld also announced that his campaign will begin airing TV ads through the upcoming primary election.
In case you missed it — here’s what’s being reported about Retread Ted losing out on two big editorial endorsements and Sittenfeld’s new ads:
“Sittenfeld will launch his second set of ads on Tuesday, and they come at a good time for him. He was endorsed over the weekend by both the Akron Beacon Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.” (Chris Wetterich, “Sittenfeld makes his move in Senate race,” The Cincinnati Business Journal, 2/29/16)
“The first two Ohio newspapers to pick a candidate in the Democratic Senate primary are both backing underdog Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld over the party’s choice, former Governor and Congressman Ted Strickland.” (Tom Beres, “Sittenfeld captures Plain Dealer and Beacon Journal endorsements,” NBC Cleveland, 2/29/16)
“Strickland had a rocky interview with the editorial board, admitting that his position on guns had ‘changed over time’ and that opponents could ‘absolutely’ criticize him for it.” (Morgan Chalfant, “Ohio Editorial Boards Rally Behind Ted Strickland’s Primary Challenger,” The Washington Free Beacon, 2/29/16)
“…Northeast Ohio has the largest trove of Democratic voters in the state, so the endorsements can only help Sittenfeld.” (Chris Wetterich, “Sittenfeld makes his move in Senate race,” The Cincinnati Business Journal, 2/29/16)
"He [Strickland] has refused to debate Sittenfeld, claiming his energy and resources should go toward criticizing the incumbent Republican Portman." (Tom Beres, “Sittenfeld captures Plain Dealer and Beacon Journal endorsements,” NBC Cleveland, 2/29/16)
“Strickland’s decision not to debate Sittenfeld clearly played a role in both newspapers’ endorsements.” (Chris Wetterich, “Sittenfeld makes his move in Senate race,” The Cincinnati Business Journal, 2/29/16)
“The Beacon Journal editorial board cited Strickland’s refusal to engage in primary debates with Sittenfeld as one of the reasons they concluded that the young city councilman has been the ‘better candidate in this primary campaign.’” (Morgan Chalfant, “Ohio Editorial Boards Rally Behind Ted Strickland’s Primary Challenger,” The Washington Free Beacon, 2/29/16)
The Plain Dealer specifically pointed to Strickland’s recent reversal on gun control—and past efforts to tout his A ratings from the National Rifle Association—as a reason for Democrats to vote for Sittenfeld over the former governor. (Morgan Chalfant, “Ohio Editorial Boards Rally Behind Ted Strickland’s Primary Challenger,” The Washington Free Beacon, 2/29/16)
“The editorial boards of both the Akron Beacon Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote that Sittenfeld is the best choice to represent Democrats in the Senate race…” (Morgan Chalfant, “Ohio Editorial Boards Rally Behind Ted Strickland’s Primary Challenger,” The Washington Free Beacon, 2/29/16)
“The Plain Dealer said, ‘Ohio needs to debate it’s future not rehash it’s past… Ohio Democrats should nominate P.G. Sittnfeld for the U.S. Senate…’” (Tom Beres, “Sittenfeld captures Plain Dealer and Beacon Journal endorsements,” NBC Cleveland, 2/29/16)
The Beacon Journal editorial board said, "P.G. Sittenfeld has been the better candidate… what Sittenfeld has brought to this campaign is a command of issues, foreign and domestic, and a refreshing set of priorities." (Tom Beres, “Sittenfeld captures Plain Dealer and Beacon Journal endorsements,” NBC Cleveland, 2/29/16)
"The campaign of Democrat U.S. Senate hopeful P.G. Sittenfeld will begin airing TV commercials on Tuesday in Ohio’s major metro markets, including Columbus." (Randy Ludlow, “Sittenfeld campaign takes to air vs. Strickland,” The Columbus Dispatch, “2/29/16)
"Two major papers in the state – the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Akron Beacon-Journal – both endorsed Sittenfeld over the weekend." (Kevin Robillard, “Sittenfeld to start airing TV ads Tuesday,” Politico, 2/29/16)
“One of spots takes Strickland to task for failing to stand up to the National Rifle Association in what has been a central theme to the campaign of the upstart Sittenfeld, a Cincinnati City Council member.” (Randy Ludlow, “Sittenfeld campaign takes to air vs. Strickland,” The Columbus Dispatch, “2/29/16)
"P.G. Sittenfeld’s Ohio Senate campaign will start airing ads Tuesday, two weeks before his Democratic primary against former Gov. Ted Strickland." (Kevin Robillard, “Sittenfeld to start airing TV ads Tuesday,” Politico, 2/29/16)