U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland (D-6th) announced Tuesday that he will not run for Ohio governor in 2006.

The Lucasville native that represents more than 630,000 people in 12 southern Ohio counties had mulled the idea for the past year but decided that the big battles will be fought in the nation’s capitol.

&uot;I believe that if there is no opposition in Washington, the leadership will take us to the point of no return,&uot; Strickland said via conference call.

Calling financial concerns a minor factor, Strickland said he believes that the Democratic Party will still find strong candidate for the office. Gov. Bob Taft cannot run again because term limits and several Republican and Democratic candidates have been mulling a run.

Strickland began his sixth two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives this month and said he will likely seek that office again in 2006. However, he did not close the door on a U.S. Senate bid.

The 6th District now includes more than 630,000 people in 12 counties: Athens, Belmont, Columbiana, Gallia, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mahoning, Meigs, Monroe, Noble, Scioto and Washington.

For the full story, see Wednesday’s Tribune.