COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, sworn into office just last week, is being widely mentioned as a potential candidate to run for the U.S. Senate expected to be vacated by Republican George Voinovich.

The former governor and Cleveland mayor is expected to announce today that he does not plan to seek a third term in the Senate in 2010.

If Cordray decides to pursue the potentially open seat he could do so while serving as the state's chief legal officer.

Cordray was Ohio's state treasurer before being elected in November to serve out the two years remaining on disgraced former Democratic Attorney General Marc Dann's term.

The attorney general was mentioned as a possible Senate contender by, among other media, The Associated Press, the National Journal and The Washington Post, in addition to several newspapers in the state.

Other potential Democratic candidates mentioned so far include Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan and Zack Space.

Former Cincinnati-area congressman and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman is widely considered the leading Republican candidate to replace Voinovich, 72.

If Voinovich announces he will not run for reelection, he would be the fourth Republican senator to do so this election cycle, joining Sam Brownback of Kansas, Mel Martinez of Florida and Kit Bond of Missouri.

From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.