Colemam Announces Gubernatorial Candidacy

McMicken alumnus, Michael Coleman, became the first Democrat to enter the 2006 race when he recently announced his candidacy for the governorship. The Columbus mayor has a year to decide whether to file official papers. If he does so, he will compete to become Ohio's first African American governor and the Democratic Party's first black nominee for the position.

Prior to his 1999 election as the first black mayor of Columbus, Coleman served seven years on its city council, where he acted as president for the last two. He is a 1977 political science graduate and earned his law degree in 1980 from the University of Dayton's law school. He was honored by McMicken College as an outstanding graduate in 2004.

In an exclusive interview with The Columbus Dispatch Coleman said he is prepared for primary challenges from several possible Democrats: talk show host, Jerry Springer, U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown of Lorain, State Sen. Eric Fingerhut of Cleveland, and former Attorney General Lee Fisher of Shaker Heights.

“My decision to run has not been based on other candidates' decisions,” said Coleman. “My decision is based on my belief that I have a duty and an obligation to serve, to stand up and not stand by.”