May primary will feature Republican races for three Ohio executive offices

The primary election in May will feature a crowded field of Republicans seeking statewide office, while Democrats in those races can overlook the primary and focus on trying to win in November.

Republicans will battle each other in May to secure nominations for attorney general, auditor and secretary of state...

...The path to November is much rockier for Republicans with primary opposition. They could have to campaign harder and spend more money to earn voters' support in the coming months than their Democratic counterparts.

Seth Bringman, spokesman for the Ohio Democratic Party, said the abundance of Republican primaries is a sign of discord within the party. He noted Tea Party activists' support of Republican candidates for auditor and attorney general not endorsed by the Ohio GOP.

"If I were working at the Ohio Republican Party, I would be worried not only about several contested primaries, but also about the anger of the Republican base toward their party and its candidates," Bringman said in a statement...

...The Republican primary for attorney general -- a position referred to as the state's top cop, top prosecutor or sometimes its top defense lawyer -- will pit former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine against newcomer Steve Christopher, of Hardin County.

Current Attorney General Richard Cordray will take on the victor of the DeWine-Christopher contest...

...In the race for the Republican nomination for Secretary of State, Ohio Sen. Jon Husted, of the Dayton area, will face Sandra O'Brien, a community college professor and former Ashtabula County auditor.

Husted touted his broad support when he filed petitions on Wednesday with signatures from voters in 60 counties. O'Brien, who upset incumbent Jennette Bradley in the Republican primary for state treasurer in 2006, portrayed herself as the true conservative in the contest...

...[Hamilton County Commissioner David] Pepper's Republican opponent in the auditor's race November will be either Seth Morgan, a state Rep. from the Dayton area, or Dave Yost, the Delaware County prosecutor.

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