Hotline On Call

The field of potential Democratic challengers to Gov. John Kasich narrowed by one today, with news that President Obama is renominating Richard Cordray as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. With Cordray out of the race, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald told the Columbus Dispatch he will likely mount a bid -- and soon.

One Democratic official told Hotline On Call earlier this month that only Cordray and FitzGerald stood a chance to be the party's nominee, and that FitzGerald's early frontrunner status would be challenged by a Cordray run. The official indicated that many potential FitzGerald supporters would be waiting on Cordray's decision before getting behind the executive.

While FitzGerald has dominated early media coverage, former Rep. Betty Sutton made it known earlier this month that she is taking a close look at the race. She also appeared with FitzGerald at a local Democratic banquet, where both introduced themselves to potential supporters.

In an interview with Hotline On Call earlier this month, one union organizer called Sutton a "labor warrior" and said she had the potential to garner strong support from labor groups. Another labor leader suggested Cordray would have the backing of the United Auto Workers and building trades if he entered the race. With that support now up for grabs, it could be an inroad for Sutton -- if she is serious about joining the race -- to line up labor coalitions to counter FitzGerald's early momentum.