In tradition, Strickland carves name in gov's desk

COLUMBUS, Ohio - It's not vandalism, it's tradition: former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has left his name carved into the governor's desk at the Ohio Statehouse.

The Democrat literally left his mark on the governor's office last week, using an etching tool from the artist who is painting an official portrait of Strickland.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the name-carving practice was begun by Gov. George Voinovich in the 1990s and has been carried on by every governor since then.

The artist sketched and photographed Strickland for a portrait that will be displayed in a Statehouse hearing room.

Republican John Kasich unseated Strickland in last fall's election and was sworn in on Monday.