Political analysts say a lack of both strong candidates and available cash hurt Ohio Democrats' chances to win back at least one state office in Tuesday's election.

However, Democrats do control the mayor's offices in all of Ohio's big cities, and that's where they are likely to go as they look for candidates for the 2006 election.

John Green is director of the Ray Bliss Institute for Applied Politics at the University of Akron.

He says Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell have potential, but adds that it usually takes more than one election cycle to make the jump from mayor to statewide officeholder. Coleman was elected in 1999, while Campbell was elected last year.

Green says running for state office and losing often is the best way to make the transition.

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