Just let his own words speak for him.

Behlen Manufacturing chair Tony Raimondo (R) said he realized when ex-Ag. Sec./ex-Gov. Mike Johanns (R) entered the race, he wouldn’t be able to raise the money needed to get the GOP nod. Raimondo: “Especially when the governor endorsed him, I think the Republican primary closed up. … I would love
personally to see more of an open primary, (but) Mike certainly
has a very positive record.”
  “Raimondo said this isn’t the end of his political aspirations, and his name may pop up in the future. He said no one’s suggested to him that he run for the Senate seat as a Democrat, and while he has no plans to switch parties, he would listen if asked” (Bratton, AP, 10/26/07).

Columbus industrialist Tony Raimondo said Thursday he will seek the 2008 Republican Senate nomination if Sen. Chuck Hagel does not pursue a third term.”I’ve decided if Hagel doesn’t run, I will be running,” the chairman of Behlen Manufacturing Co. said in a telephone interview.

Raimondo, a nationally recognized businessman once in line for White House appointment as federal manufacturing czar, said he would bring business development experience in a global marketplace to the Senate.

“Competitiveness and job creation are basically what I’ve worked my whole life on,” he said. “I think we need more business leaders in Congress.” (Walton, LJS, 5/11/07).