Republican John Kasich poised to be Ohio governor

John Kasich appears headed to victory in the key race for governor in Ohio, leading a clean sweep of the state for the GOP.

With nearly all of the state’s precincts reporting, Kasich, a former congressman, led incumbent Democrat Ted Strickland by more than 100,000 votes.

Strickland’s campaign was not ready to concede, however.

“Given where voting stands right now and the significant number of uncounted votes that still remain across the state, we are watching the results of this election very closely,” Strickland campaign manager Aaron Pickrell said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor the situation.”

Strickland’s reelection was a high priority of national Democrats. President Obama, Vice President Biden and former President Clinton made a combined 14 campaign visits on his behalf.

With an eye toward the state’s role in presidential races, Obama has visited no state outside the Beltway more often since taking office.

Republicans appeared poised for a clean sweep of other state offices as well, including the secretary of state position that holds a key role in redistricting.

Five Democratic incumbents in the House all lost reelection bids, as did the party’s nominee for Senate, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher.

Meanwhile it is Ohio’s John A. Boehner who is poised to lead the Republicans as the new speaker of the House.

It was in 2006 that Democrats enjoyed their own sweep, led with a victory by Strickland, as Republicans were reeling from the so-called “Coingate” investment scandal.

mmemoli@tribune.com

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