The pro-Second Amendment group Buckeye Firearms Council has released its voters' score card for the candidates running for various Ohio offices.

Among them are U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative, Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, State Sumpreme Court judges, Ohio Senate and Ohio House.

The Council gives its nod to Republican Rob Portman ("A rating") over Lee Fisher ("F rating") in the Senate race.

Reversing the backed political party, the Council picks current Democratic Ohio Governor Ted Strickland ("A-plus") over his Republican opponent, John Kasich ("C-minus"). However, Strickland's running mate (Yvette McGee Brown) gets an" F" rating  while Kasich's running mate (Mary Taylor) gets an "A" rating.

And current Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray - a Democrat - runs away with the Council's endorsement via an "A" over "D-rated" Mike DeWine, a Republican.

As for Secretary of State, Republican John Husted ("A-plus") easily beat his Democratic challenger Maryellen O'Shaughnessy ("F").

Likewise, for Auditor, Republican Dave Yost ("A-rated") is picked over Democrat David Pepper ("C-rated").

In the Treasurer's race, Republican Josh Mandel ("A-rated") gets the nod over his Democratic rival Kevin Boyce ("F-rated").

Though no rating is given for the Chief Justice of the Ohio Sumreme Court, current Justice Maureen O'Conner is recommended over Eric Brown.

No recommendation is made for the three-way race for State Supreme Court Justice which includes incumbant justice Paul Pfeifer.

And U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette (Republican) gets both the endorsement and an "A" rating from the Council. Not so fortunate is U.S. Rep. Marcy Fudge with an "F" rating by the Council.

In the Ohio State Senate series of race the only local  seat up is that is that now held by Nina  Turner and whom the Council gives a "D" rating with no race recommendation.

As for the Ohio House District 17, Republican Marlene Anielski ("A-rated") is selected over her Democratic challenger Kelli Perk, who either didn't return a Council survey or else has no Second Amendment rights voting history.

House District 7, incumbant Democrat Kenny Yurko is  picked with an "A" rating. Democrat state Rep. Lorraine D. Fende of House District 62 also gets the nod with an "A-minus" rating. Her Republican challenger David Fiebig is given a "D" rating.

Republican  Ron Young  in House District 63 receives the Council's blessing with an "A" rating. Perhaps interestingly that district's current representative - Mark Schneider - either did not return the Council's survey or else has no voting history relative to Second Amendment rights.

Lastly, in the House District 98 race, current state Sen. Tim Grendell is picked by the Council. Grendell received the Council's only "A-plus" rating for any Ohio House candidate. His Democratic challenger is Mary Briggs who earned a "B" rating from the Council.

For a complete run-down visit the Council's web site at www.BuckeyeFirearms.org.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com