By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hamilton County politicians jumped into 2004 races left and right Friday - almost a week before the filing deadline. The 2003 filing deadline.

On the right, state Rep. Patricia Clancy, a Colerain Township Republican, said she'll run for state Senate, and Republican Commissioner John Dowlin of Sharonville said he'll seek re-election.

On the left, former state Rep. Wayne Coates, a Forest Park Democrat, has taken out petitions to challenge Dowlin, 73.

The early announcements are at least partly because 2004 is a presidential election year. Ohio's primary will be in March, so candidates will have to file to run by early January.

Two other Republicans, Anderson Township Trustee Russ Jackson and Blue Ash Councilman Jim Sumner, have said they plan to run for commissioner - likely against Democratic incumbent Todd Portune.

Clancy said Friday she's going to run for the seat now held by state Sen. Louis Blessing, another Colerain Republican losing his seat to term limits.

As senator, Clancy said she would continue Blessing's quest to legalize slot machines at the state's racetracks.

"I feel very strongly that (the issue) is not dead, it will resurface," Clancy said.

Coates was a one-term representative ousted by Jim Raussen in 2002.

He said he wants to make government more efficient and stem the flow of residents and businesses out of the county.

Dowlin's announcement, which also came Friday, ended months of speculation and reversed his earlier plans to retire in 2004.

"There are plenty of reasons for me to retire, but there are more reasons for me to run," he said.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com