Strickland named to Obama campaign

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Former Democratic Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has been named a co-chair of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

Strickland said in a telephone interview Wednesday that he is among roughly 30 co-chairs across the country tapped by Obama to help win November's election.

The 70-year-old Strickland said he anticipates focusing his efforts in Ohio, a critical political swing state, but would also travel as needed.

Once among America's most popular governors, Strickland led a near-sweep by Democrats of state power in 2006 on the coattails of Republican scandal. He is an ex-congressman from eastern Ohio who could help the president among hard-to-reach Appalachian voters.

Republican John Kasich bested Strickland in the 2010 election. Kasich has not endorsed any current GOP presidential candidate.