Rep. Tim Ryan won’t run for LG

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) has decided against running for lieutenant governor in 2010 and will instead run for reelection to his House seat.

Indications had been the Ryan would make the leap to run with Gov. Ted Strickland (D), as current Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher runs for the state’s open Senate seat. But the Youngstown Business Journal reported Friday that he would stay in Washington.

A spokesman for Ryan confirmed the report.

The decision closes what would have likely turned into a competitive Democratic primary for Ryan’s seat. Republicans had little hope of capturing the heavily Democratic district.

-Aaron Blake