COLUMBUS -- Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is turning to the Web to make her announcement that she is officially entering the race for the U.S. Senate seat. She'll make the announcement around 1 P.M. through a video on a new campaign Web site.

Brunner is the first Democrat to enter the race. Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, who has the backing of Gov. Ted Strickland, recently set up an exploratory committee but has stopped short of officially entering. (Related: Fisher now plans to announce this evening.)

Former congressman and Bush White House official Rob Portman is the only Republican running for the seat held by George Voinovich, who is not seeking re-election in 2010.

UPDATE: Brunner's campaign team is still trying to get everything organized for the official announcement and has not officially notified reporters and others as to its Web site.

UPDATE II: Here's Brunner's official announcement:

I wanted you to be the first to know that I am running for the United States Senate, so please watch my announcement here: http://www.JenniferBrunner.com
I am excited to announce my decision to you first -- and I will continue to talk directly with you and thousands of Ohioans -- because working together, we can accomplish so much more. Everyone in Ohio has felt the pain of the current economy so we can't afford to send the same people who got us into this crisis back to Washington. The future is in our hands.

Please watch my announcement and be a part of the change that Ohio needs:
http://www.JenniferBrunner.com

Like most Ohioans, when I see problems, I look for solutions -- solutions to meet our challenges so that we emerge stronger than ever. Too often we've seen the same-old campaign and same-old politicians return to Washington and fail to make the changes that will move us forward.

We worked hard the past four years to elect new leaders that won't ignore or belittle the problems we face in Ohio. That work must continue as we create new jobs that improve our communities by conserving energy, lowering health care costs and making our streets and highways safer.

This campaign is about you, and about all Ohioans who are ready to come together and find solutions to the problems we face.

Please join our campaign and be a part of the change that Ohio needs: http://www.JenniferBrunner.com

Our campaign is going to make history ? together, we will win this race and change Ohio and the nation. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Brunner

Brunner, Fisher announce U.S. Senate bids

May Democratic primary possible

Two of the state's highest-ranking Democrats are announcing today that they will run in 2010 to replace retiring Republican U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher have informed supporters of their plans, potentially setting up a May primary between them.

Brunner made her intentions public this morning and, shortly after noon, Fisher sent an e-mail to supporters announcing he was in the race.

"Ironically," Fisher said in the email, "we learned at about 11 this morning that Jennifer Brunner is announcing for the Senate today. So are we -- later this afternoon!"

Joined by Gov. Ted Strickland, Fisher will announce his candidacy at the Statehouse at 6 p.m. Brunner planned to announce her candidacy this afternoon in a Web broadcast.

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern said Brunner called him this morning "and told me she would be a candidate for the U.S. Senate. She indicated to me she should be considered a candidate as of noon today and that she will make an announcement early this afternoon."

If elected, Brunner would become Ohio's first female U.S. senator.

Sources said that Democratic Cuyahoga County Prosecutor William Mason likely will run to succeed Brunner. Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks also is said to be considering a bid for the Democratic nomination for secretary of state. State Sen. Jon A. Husted of Kettering has said he might seek the GOP nomination for secretary of state.

Former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman of Cincinnati already has announced his Republican candidacy for the Senate seat.