COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)--Despite various newspaper and Web site reports indicating the Ohio Republican Party is set to announce they've selected someone to oppose Democrat Richard Cordray in November's election for Ohio Attorney General, the party's executive director says not so fast.

"I can't confirm any speculation," said Jason Mauk, in reference to stories in today's online version of The Columbus Dispatch, for one, indicating the Ohio GOP will select D. Michael Crites, a former federal prosecutor as its candidate for Ohio AG.

Crites is a managing partner of a Columbus law firm while Cordray is Ohio's current treasurer. According to Mauk, "None of the (published comments) are attributable to anyone officially linked to the Ohio GOP."

Even if Crites announces his candidacy does not guarantee he will gain the party's endorsement, Mauk said.

"An announcement is not a nomination," he said.

However, he did confirm the Ohio Republican State Central and Executive Committee is scheduled to meet Aug. 2 and it's possible the party will officially name a candidate after that meeting.

Crites did not return a call seeking comment.

Under Ohio election law, state Republicans have until Aug. 20 to name an AG candidate.

The special election for Ohio Attorney General became necessary when former state Attorney General Marc Dann resigned in disgrace May 14, after serving only 17 months of his four-year term.

Dann admitted to having an affair with a staff member and continues to be dogged by allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment, among other charges.

On May 21, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland named Nancy Hardin Rogers to the AG post. She will continue in the job until Ohio voters elect someone to complete the remaining two years on Dann's term.

Immediately upon being named AG, Rogers stated she had no interest in running for the office herself. To become Ohio's top lawyer, she left her position as law school dean at The Ohio State University. When her brief stint as Ohio AG is completed, she will return to the faculty at OSU's law school.

Ohio Democrats endorsed Cordray's candidacy for AG on June 21. If he does not win the Attorney General election, he will retain his post as Ohio's treasurer. However, if he succeeds, Strickland will name another Democrat to the treasurer's position.

The selection process has not gone as smoothly for Ohio Republicans. Several well-known names in Ohio Republican politics surfaced to the top of the list of potential candidates, but each rejected the possibility.