Plunderbund

Our choice: Subodh Chandra in the Democratic primary

Ohioans often lament the brain drain afflicting the state, the younger people who leave for brighter prospects or do not come in view of the dearth of jobs. Subodh Chandra bucked the trend. He first gained exposure to the state during a fellowship under Gov. Richard Celeste. He eventually became a federal prosecutor in Cleveland. In 2002, Jane Campbell tapped him to be the city law director.

Now Chandra is running for Ohio attorney general with the energy, passion and ambition that have helped him excel in his previous pursuits. Democrats shouldn’t miss the opportunity to select such a qualified and determined candidate. We recommend the election of Subodh Chandra on May 2.

Chandra wants to raise expectations for the office. He wants to employ its untapped authority. He has in mind an attorney general who pursues more aggressively the interests of his client, the public. For instance, he wouldn’t quietly stand aside as the state legislature thumbed its nose at the Ohio Supreme Court, defying court orders to overhaul school funding. He would seek to play the role of catalyst, using the bully pulpit of his office to press for change.

The possibilities are many, from predatory lending to charter schools, the discussion benefiting from an attorney general eager to enter the fray, speaking intelligently and forcefully. Chandra isn’t kidding when he points to Eliot Spitzer, the attorney general in New York, as his role model. Obviously, Ohio features a different political landscape. Still, the state would be well served by a similar voice, pushing for greater accountability and improved performance.

The encouraging thing is, Chandra has an enviable track record that suggests he would succeed. In Cleveland, he transformed a wayward law department. He attacked the problem of special counsel, the cozy relations between the department and private attorneys, something that has long infected the office of attorney general. Subodh Chandra promises a refreshing combination of skills and experience that would elevate the office.

Mark Dann is a strong candidate, too. The state senator from the Youngstown area has led the charge at the Statehouse in challenging tired Republican ways. His words have been sharp. Many of his proposals have been sound. Dann shares many of the priorities of Chandra. He lacks his opponent’s much broader legal resume. More, Chandra has managed (very effectively) a large public department. For Democrats, the better choice should be plain.