Dann, a Democrat, resigned earlier this month in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal in his office and admissions that he had an affair with an employee, hired unqualified friends and felt unprepared to run the giant state agency. The governor has the constitutional role of replacing him.

Strickland will announced his plans Wednesday morning.

State Treasurer Richard Cordray is the strongest of those identified to run for the office in the fall, but Strickland is unlikely to pick him because that would leave a second statewide office held by Democrats vulnerable in November. More likely he will name an interim caretaker.