No Surprises, Republicans Sweep Statewide Offices

By Andria Y. Carter, Sesh Online News Hopeful Democrats tried to impede Ohio Republicans seeking re-election to statewide offices, but their efforts fell short Tuesday outside urban areas. Gov. Mike DeWine led the full sweep of executive offices when media outlets projected his re-election when absentee ballots unofficial results were released just after polls closed […] The post No Surprises, Republicans Sweep Statewide Offices appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald.

No Surprises, Republicans Sweep Statewide Offices

By Andria Y. Carter, Sesh Online News

Hopeful Democrats tried to impede Ohio Republicans seeking re-election to statewide offices, but their efforts fell short Tuesday outside urban areas. Gov. Mike DeWine led the full sweep of executive offices when media outlets projected his re-election when absentee ballots unofficial results were released just after polls closed at 7:30 p.m.

Republican candidates returned to office include governor, lt. governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and auditor. Their return comes on the heals of Ohio setting an all-time record for early and absentee voting during a gubernatorial election. Over 1.5 million Ohioans requested absentee ballots or voted early causing an increase of 3.9 percent over the previous record set in 2018.

“The record setting number of Ohioans who utilized our two early voting options is great news for those hoping for shorter lines on Election Day,” said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

The battle for Ohio came down to whose message resonated the most and countered what voters were hearing on a national level. Earlier in the year, Republicans expected a “Red Wave” across the nation taking considerable control on a local, state and national level. Instead, the voters have been experiencing “political” whiplash due to a variety of decisions and actions taken by both the Democrats and Republicans.

In Ohio, the Republicans urged voters to continue to follow the political strategy they’ve been following the last four years keeping Ohio moving in the right direction and continue to improve its economy, keeping residents safe and protect citizens rights.

This strategy provided the ammunition the Republicans needed to defeat their Democratic opponents. Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted defeated Democratic candidate Nan Whaley and

Cheryl L. Stephens. In the Secretary of State race, LaRose held off Democratic candidate Chelsea Clark and Independent candidate Terpsehore Maras.

In the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost defeated Democratic candidate Jeff Crossman while incumbent Auditor Keith Faber beat Democratic candidate Taylor Sappington, and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague trounced Democratic candidate Scott Schertzer,

Democratic candidates tried to sway Ohio voters noting the six-week abortion ban, currently on hold, the ongoing corruption that had allegedly reached the top levels of state government and how under their leadership they could change the direction the state is heading.

In a released statement, Crossman noted that the attorney general race would be a challenging one but hoped sharing a compelling vision would bring about a better Ohio for workers and families. “Make no mistake, we view the results of this race as a setback for Ohioans, but one we can overcome if we continue to engage in democracy – by voting, running for office, and opposing the rising divisions and extremism undermining the fabric of our country which holds us together. I intend to continue working with all of you to improve Ohio because I believe our state can be better, fairer, and more prosperous for everyone if we can find common ground and work together,” Crossman said.

U.S Senate Race

Republican candidate J.D. Vance defeated Democratic candidate Tim Ryan for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by U.S. Senator Rob Portman who announced last year that he would not seek re-election. Nationally both political parties were watching this race because it could help tip the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.

Throughout the night Vance held a strong lead over Ryan but Vance failed to win over Ohio’s urban centers, where Ryan had a strong lead.

Vance’s win comes after a fiery contest of wills, messaging and overcoming his statement of “never Trump guy” to accept former president Donald Trump’s endorsement and campaign with him three times.

Throughout the campaign, Ryan tried to attract moderate voters and prove that he was his own man by not following the typical political Democratic strategy. He tried taking on some GOP viewpoints by securing the southern U.S. border, being tough on trade with China and opposing the Biden administration on certain issues.

But his strategy hit a roadblock when he confused voters saying he was against Trump but supported his viewpoints on trade with China.

1st Congressional District

Democratic candidate Greg Landsman caused the only Republican upset of the night with his defeated on long-time Congressman Steve Chabot. The district covers two Ohio counties – Hamilton and Warren. Chabot led in Warren but Landsman held a strong lead in Hamilton county despite Chabot gaining ground as returns slowly came in but could never break Landsman hold on the voters.

Chabot held the seat for over 25 years, winning the first time in 1994 and losing the seat in 2008 to Democrat Steve Driehaus. Chabot took the seat back two years later and has held on to it ever since.

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