Democrats must settle attorney general primary

SANDUSKY — The Democratic primary for attorney general includes an unusual feature. Political parties in Ohio typically don't endorse in primaries, waiting for voters to nominate a candidate before getting involved. But the Ohio Democratic Party has endorsed one of the two Democrats running for attorney general, asking Democratic voters to back John Kulewicz over Elliot Forhan. The party's executive committee recently met by video and endorsed Kulewicz. The party has stayed out of other primary contests, such as the secretary of state race between Democrats Dr. Bryan Hambley and state Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington. The winner of the Democratic primary for attorney general will oppose the Republican candidate, Keith Faber, in November. Faber is currently Ohio's state auditor. John Kulewicz Kulewicz has been a member of a Columbus law firm, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease for 44 years and has successfully argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the biography on his campaign website. He told the Register that he traveled to all of Ohio's 88 counties and met with voters before making a final decision to run. "As a lawyer, I wanted to do my due diligence," Kulewicz said. Kulewicz, a member of the Upper Arlington city council, said he is more of a lawyer than a politician. He promised to be diligent in serving the people of Ohio, who he calls "his client" as attorney general. He said he will concentrate on keeping people safe from violent crime and other criminal misconduct and will try to make the economy work better for everyone. "I want to take on price-fixing monopolies that are raising the cost of what we need to buy," he said. Kulewicz said he also wants to target high electricity rates and take a close look at JobsOhio, which he said spends hundreds of millions of dollars with "zero accountability." Turning the attorney general's office into a law office for the people and avoiding partisan politics can make a real difference for people in Ohio, Kulewicz said. Elliot Forhan Forhan, a former state representative from Cleveland, said he is running to "tax the rich" and "stand up to bullies." "The law is for everyone," Forhan said. "It belongs to and protects all of us, and it should hold everyone accountable, including the rich and powerful. But that's not what's happening right now in our state or across the country." Forhan drew attention earlier this year for saying he would work to "kill Donald Trump." Although he clarified that he meant that he would follow the due process of law, seeking capital punishment for Trump, his remarks were condemned by prominent Democrats, such as governor candidate Dr. Amy Acton, and, apparently, accelerated plans for the Ohio Democratic Party to endorse his opponent. Forhan served one term in a safe Democratic seat in 2023 and 2024. He was accused of showing up unannounced at the home of another Democratic state representative, Juanita Brent. Then-House Minority Leader Allison Russo, now a Democratic candidate for secretary of state, in late 2023 removed Forhan from his committee assignments, citing a "continued pattern of harassment, hostility and intimidation of colleagues and staff." Also in 2023, Jason Stephens, who at the time was the Republican Ohio House speaker, suspended Forhan's badge access to the Ohio Statehouse and to his office. Forhan sought re-election in 2024 but came in third in the Democratic primary. Forhan has denied wrongdoing and has contended he is the victim of a smear campaign, telling the Register, "I didn't ask for any of this." His campaign website, forhanforohio.com, has a document posted at the top accusing Russo of "misconduct."