Just weeks after winning his third term on Cincinnati City Council, Cecil Thomas surprised most political observers by announcing he would seek the Democratic nomination to run for the Hamilton County Commission seat being vacated by David Pepper. Party Chair Tim Burke is favoring Thomas over previously announced Democratic candidate Jim Tarbell, hoping Thomas will help mobilize African-American voters to provide a much-needed boost for U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Price Hill).  

When a Jan. 25 e-mail exchange between Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune and Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Tim Burke became public through a leak, it lifted the veil on the thinking of some political bigwigs. The pair began the exchange to discuss who should be appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Elections and ended up opening an ugly window into inter-party dealings and behind-the-scenes jockeying.  

It's difficult to resist the urge to tell Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, "I told ya so." Portune made a big deal a few weeks ago of his teaming up with his colleague, County Commissioner Greg Hartmann, to devise a solution for the looming deficits in the county's stadium account. Much like President Obama at the national level, Portune was enamored of his bipartisan approach to the problem.  

It's only the first week in January, but already political campaigns are gearing up for what likely will be the most high-profile local race this year. Cincinnati City Council colleagues Leslie Ghiz and Chris Monzel are running in the GOP primary for the Hamilton County commission, setting up a fight for the local Republican Party's soul between moderates and hardcore conservatives.   

Here's yet another example of why one-party rule of any institution is usually a supremely terrible idea. The local Republican Party has long dominated the little-scrutinized Hamilton County Courthouse, making it a bastion of patronage for friends and campaign workers, along with serving as a launching pad for up-and-coming politicians. That would be bad enough, but an incident last month has troubling implications for how justice is meted out in the county.  

When individuals and families are facing a tight budget because of job layoffs or rising costs, the first thing they usually do is cut luxuries like going to the movies or eating out. They might even sell unneeded items at a yard sale or on eBay. With that spirit in mind, it's time for Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis Jr. to sell his tank. And throw in the speedboat while he's at it. The county budget needs his help.  

Democratic incumbent Todd Portune and Republican Greg Hartmann, endorsed candidates who received money and volunteer help from their respective parties, easily won in their separate Hamilton County Commission races. Still, Ed Rothenberg, an unendorsed Republican who challenged Portune, and Chris Dole, an unendorsed Democrat who vied against Hartmann, each nabbed more than one-third of the votes cast in the races.  

Hamilton County voters go to the polls Nov. 4 and cast their ballots in the two county commission races, they will have their choice of candidates in each contest - despite the best efforts of local Democratic and Republican party leaders to prevent it.