Is Smitherman ready to put 'R' next to his name?

A weekly look inside local politics

Christopher Smitherman isn't quite ready to publicly call himself a Republican, but the pull-no-punches Cincinnati City Councilman took a step toward officially joining the GOP this spring.

He voted a Republican ballot in the primary for the first time in his life. That comes as no surprise to local political observers who have watched Smitherman hold the role as one of City Hall's fiscal conservatives, including taking a hard-line stance against the streetcar.

Smitherman hasn't decided yet if he'll put an "R" next to his name when he seeks a third term on Council next year, but officially switching to the Republican party appears to be part of his long-term political plan.

"I might run as an independent again for Council," Smitherman told Politics Extra. "If I decide to run countywide in the future, I would run as an 'R.' "

Smitherman said being elected Hamilton County commissioner after he leaves Council is "at the top of my list." He was mentioned as a possible replacement for Greg Hartmann, who resigned from the board of commissioners in December. Dennis Deters was appointed to Hartmann's seat.

"There's never been an African-American commissioner in Hamilton County," Smitherman said. "I'm hoping voters would see me as someone they could get behind and trust with their tax dollars."

The GOP is always in need of African-American candidates. Locally, Charlie Winburn is set be term-limited off Council next year, and his political future is in question after he was decisively beaten in the primary for Hamilton County recorder. In Smitherman, the GOP would gain an experienced African-American leader with strong name recognition.

But before making the switch, Smitherman might have to win over some of the local GOP's social conservatives after he's sided with Council's Democrats at times on social issues.

"A lot of Republicans always think very well of Christopher," Hamilton County GOP leader Alex Triantafilou said. "He's caught some flack from the social conservative wing of the party – probably deservedly so – given his position on 'conversion' therapy."

In December, Smitherman voted in support of a city ban on so-called "conversion" therapy for gay youth. The law passed.

But Smitherman "has told me that he is pro-life and that's helpful," Triantafilou said.

"If he decides to come into the party, I will be an ally and try to help him negotiate those waters," Triantafilou added.

Smitherman voted a Democratic ballot in the 2012 primary, according to Politics Extra's review of voter records. But the former Cincinnati NAACP leader has been aligned with conservative anti-tax group COAST for several years.

Republicans have been pleased with Smitherman's stance on budget issues, Triantafilou said. Conservatives also like that Smitherman is pro-law enforcement and has taken a strong stance against the "no-snitch" culture that hampers some homicide investigations.

Smitherman recently has been spotted in social media photos at GOP fundraisers. He is supporting Republican Andrew Pappas in his run for commissioner against Democratic incumbent Todd Portune.

"I have had the most fruitful conversations since I've been an elected official with the leadership of the Republican party," Smitherman said. "That's not new. I talk often to Republican leadership, and they reach out to me."

Micro-scoops & more

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• In his weekly press call, Sen. Rob Portman again said he's not interested in being Donald Trump's running mate. But the Terrace Park Republican had vice presidential candidate suggestions for the GOP – and the other guys. “I think Sherrod Brown would be a good VP for Clinton and (John) Kasich would be a good VP for Trump,” Portman said, according to Enquirer Washington reporter Deirdre Shesgreen. Brown, Ohio's senior U.S. senator, and Portman have long played nice with each other. But Portman may not like it if Brown ends up as Clinton's running mate. As a VP candidate, Brown could help elevate Ted Strickland's candidacy in the former Ohio governor's senate race against Portman.

• Last week, Politics Extra broke the story about the Hamilton County Democratic Party hiring Columbus-based strategist Ernie Davis to run a coordinated campaign. Turns out, it's part of a statewide effort spearheaded by Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper to build a bench of candidates. A local coordinated campaign is designed to promote down-ticket candidates in hopes of grooming them for higher-profile offices. Coordinated campaigns also are being run in Ross, Licking and Ottawa counties.

• City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld joined local and state officials from across the U.S. in Washington on Tuesday for a meeting with Vice President Joe Biden to discuss reducing gun violence. Sittenfeld emphasized gun control during his U.S. Senate campaign. In other Sittenfeld news, he's set to get married next weekend. Politics Extra toasts Sittenfeld and his bride-to-be Sarah (and their new puppy, "Oakley").

• State Rep. Kathleen Clyde, a Northeast Ohio Democrat, is scheduled to be in Cincinnati next month for a fundraiser hosted by local attorney Paul DeMarco. The Kent attorney, viewed as a rising star by party leaders, is considering a run for secretary of state in 2018.

Follow Enquirer local politics reporter Jason Williams on Twitter @jwilliamscincy. Send tips, questions and comments to jwilliams@enquirer.com.