Key Race: Ohio Governor

November 7, 2006

Democrat Rep. Ted Strickland Wins Ohio Governor's Race

After serving as U.S. representative for Ohio's 6th District since 1997, Democrat Ted Strickland defeated Republican Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, flipping the Buckeye State's governor mansion to the Democratic side for the first time since 1986.

Strickland benefited from heavy anti-Republican sentiments fueled by a series of state and national scandals, including one that led to the conviction of term-limited Republican Gov. Bob Taft for breaking state ethics laws by failing to report gifts. Strickland a ran a strong campaign focusing on economic issues against Blackwell who was seen by many as too conservative for mainstream voters.
-- Online NewsHour

August 29, 2006

Pastors Back Blackwell; Strickland Widens Lead in Polls
In the week before Labor Day's traditional fall campaign kickoff, Ohio governor's race has been anything but static. A group of pastors endorsed Republican Secretary of State Ken Blackwell over Democrat Ted Strickland, a former Methodist minister and U.S. representative who has increased his early lead to 25 points.
-- Online NewsHour

August 1, 2006

Early Poll Shows Strickland Leading Governor's Race
A Columbus Dispatch poll released July 23 found Democratic Rep. Ted Strickland leading by up to 20 percentage points over Secretary of State Ken Blackwell after gaining ground with Ohio's independent voters and appealing to 81 percent of Democrats.
-- Online NewsHour

June 9, 2006

Ohio's Strickland Eyes Governor's Mansion
Ed Gordon talks with Rep. Ted Strickland about his campaign to be the next governor of Ohio. Strickland, an ordained minister from southeastern Ohio's rural Appalachian region, faces a tough race against Republican candidate Kenneth Blackwell, a black conservative currently serving as Ohio's secretary of state.
-- National Public Radio

June 1, 2006

GOP Banks on Blackwell for Governor's Seat
Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, a Republican, talks with News and Notes host Ed Gordon about his bid to become the Buckeye State's first black governor and what role race and religion will play in his race against Rep. Ted Strickland.
-- National Public Radio