By Jim Siegel
Gannett Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - Two senators have emerged as challengers to become the next president of the Ohio Senate, one of the two most powerful legislative posts.

Sen. Bill Harris, R-Ashland, said Tuesday he is a candidate for the top spot. The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and former Marine will go head-to-head with the Senate's No. 2 leader, Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green.

THE CANDIDATES

Randy Gardner Age: 45 Hometown: Bowling Green Legislative experience: Senator since 2001, holding leadership position of president pro tempore; served in House from 1985-2000, rising to leadership position of speaker pro tempore. Professional experience: Realtor since 1993; also has been high school history teacher and newspaper reporter. Education: Master of arts in political science, Bowling Green State University; bachelor's degree in education, Bowling Green. Bill Harris Age: 69 Hometown: Ashland Legislative experience: Senator since August 2000, current chairman of Senate Finance Committee; House member 1995-2000. Professional experience: Former owner Bill Harris Chevrolet/GEO; U.S. Marine Corps 1953-77. Education: Bachelor's degree in secondary education, University of Arizona.

"To me it's not contentious, and I'm sure not uptight about it," Harris said. "I just felt very sincerely there ought to be a choice. I think the president of the Senate is too important of a position to just have an ascension into that role."

A future leadership vacuum in the Senate was created last week when presumptive president-elect Sen. Jeff Jacobson, R-Dayton, withdrew.

Media reports revealed Jacobson used a secret account from the Montgomery County Republican Party to indirectly pay GOP consultants Brett Buerck and Kyle Sisk. The two consultants are at the heart of state and federal investigations into alleged fund-raising and campaign improprieties.

Newspaper reports also said Jacobson raised money for the Ohio Taxpayers Association, which ran negative ads in a Senate primary featuring House members Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, and Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland.

Current Senate President Doug White, R-Manchester, is term-limited at the end of the year.

Gardner was originally Jacobson's top challenger to the presidency, but he bowed out months ago. Last week he announced he was willing to seek the post again.

"I thought (Harris) was supporting me until yesterday," Gardner said, noting his surprise that Harris chose to run for the top post. "We have a long, personally supportive relationship."

The majority Republicans in the Senate will choose the next president after the November elections.

Harris and Gardner spoke highly of each other, at least to a point. "I think the world of Randy Gardner, and I think he's a fine leader," Harris said. "Of course, I think I'm a better leader."

Harris said his background in the military and as a business owner have developed his leadership skills. Gardner said his experience as the No.2-ranking leader first in the House, and now in the Senate "is a positive factor ... in this new era of term limits."

Harris is no stranger to leadership battles. In 2000, he and Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, fought to become speaker of the House, the other top-ranking legislative post.

To avoid a contentious battle, then-Speaker Jo Ann Davidson brokered a deal - Harris would hold the top post in 2001, and Householder would take over in 2002.

But Householder wanted none of it. He built strong allegiances among a majority of colleagues, including several incoming freshmen, and asked Harris to get out of the way.

In August 2000, Gov. Bob Taft created a new government post and appointed Sen. Dick Schafrath of Mansfield. One day later, Harris moved into the Senate.

Both Gardner and Harris have been making calls to senators, some of whom, including Jacobson, say publicly that they are remaining neutral.

"I consider both good friends, and I'm going to consider my decision carefully before I make any commitments," said Sen. John Carey, R-Wellston.