There had been rumblings for months that Cleveland area business man Tom Ganley, who has made a fortune with a number of auto lots around the area, would throw his hat in the ring to become a United States Senator. Ganley made the formal announcement that he is running early today declaring:

"I am a businessman, not someone who ever thought about being a professional politician," adding. "But maybe that's what's needed in Washington now -- someone who understands financial responsibility and what it takes for a business and a country to be competitive. Someone who has built a business from scratch. Someone who knows how to create jobs. Someone who has met a payroll and knows his employees are dependent on him."

Ganley is running as a Republican and will be facing Congressman Rob Portman in the primary. George Voinovich is currently occupying the seat which has also attracted a bid by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher who is a Democrat.

Here is a clip from today's press conference held in Brecksville: