Cordray's endorsement edge

State Treasurer Richard Cordray: Politicker PhotoState Treasurer Richard Cordray (D-Grove City) is seeking the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police and looks to be in a good position to get it because the FOP has never opposed him with an endorsement in his two previous runs for statewide office.

The FOP is Ohio's largest law enforcement organization with 26,300 members, and its endorsement could be potent in the race for attorney general, the state's top law enforcement position. Neither party has a monopoly on endorsements from the group, as the FOP has supported two Republicans, one Democrat and neither candidate in the past five elections.

But Cordray may have an edge if the FOP's endorsement history is any guide.

The FOP stayed neutral in 1998 when Cordray ran against incumbent Attorney General Betty Montgomery, choosing not to endorse either candidate. Two years ago it endorsed Cordray for state treasurer, the position which he holds now.

FOP Legislative Chair Mark Drum said unlike most organized-labor organizations, the FOP has a bipartisan disposition.

"We're both a fraternal and professional labor organization combined. And I think our process is more unique in that you'll typically see labor always lean Democratic in their endorsements and police officers have a much broader perspective," Drum said.

Drum said his organization will wait until the Republicans nominate a candidate before requesting a formal screening of Cordray and the GOP candidate by the FOP's screening committee. By law, the GOP has until Aug. 20 to nominate a candidate.

"I believe that we will wait that long unless the Republicans come out with an announcement that they're not going to put in a candidate," Drum said, adding that he expects the GOP to put forth a candidate.

But as Republicans search and the FOP waits, Cordray is moving forward. He attended the FOP's annual conference two weeks ago, introducing himself as a candidate for attorney general and taking questions from some of the 700 people in attendance, Drum said.

Last week the FOP endorsed Justice Maureen O'Connor and Justice Evelyn Stratton in their reelection bids for the Supreme Court of Ohio.

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