Fisher announces campaign team for Senate bid

Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher (D) announced on Monday that several big name Democratic campaign operatives are joining his bid to replace retiring Sen. George Voinovich (R).

Fisher is facing off against Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner in what is expected to be a competitive Democratic primary for the seat.

Geri Prado, who most recently worked on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, will manage Fisher’s team. Prado has also previously worked for Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Sen. John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) 2004 presidential bid.

Fisher’s former chief of staff, Lauren Goode, has also signed to the campaign as political director. Alan Melamed and Jan Roller, two other Ohio based operatives, will also be senior advisors to the campaign.

Fisher has also hired AKPD Message and Media, Obama senior advisor David Axelrod’s former firm. Mark Mellman will do Fisher’s polling.

“I am pleased with the way our campaign has started,” Fisher said in a statement. “I take nothing for granted and know it’s going to be a hard fought race. I am proud of the team we put together.”

Former Congressman Rob Portman is the leading Republican in the race.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com