JOHNSON RESIGNS SENATE SEAT--Senator Jeff Johnson, D-Cleveland, gestures during a news conference where he resigned his Senate seat, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998. Johnson, who was convicted on federal extortian charges, said that he wanted remove a cloud which has been hanging over the Legislature. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

SAD DAY FOR THE DEMS--Senator Jeff Johnson, right, D-Cleveland, hands the microphone over to Senate Minority Leader Ben Espy, D-Columbus, after Johnson announced his resignation from the Senate, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998. Johnson was recently convicted on federal extortion charges. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)