Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Republicans win big in Ohio



Republican loyalists watch election results at GOP Headquarters in Greenville Tuesday evening.

Republicans win big in Ohio, Congress
Stegall will be new Darke County Commissioner
By Bob Robinson
November 3, 2010

While some races are still too close to call, the new Speaker of the House will likely be Congressman John Boehner (R-8) as Republicans have regained a solid majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The U.S. Senate still remains under Democrat control, however there will no longer be a “Super Majority” that can prohibit the Senate “filibuster” option. Republicans have picked up five seats with four “too close to call.” They needed 10.
Ohio has solidly repudiated the Democratic administration by turning all state offices and both houses of the State Legislature over to Republicans.
In Darke County’s only contested race, Republican Mike Stegall will be the new County Commissioner, taking the seat of retiring Commissioner Terry Haworth.
Republican Rob Portman, as anticipated, handily beat Democrat Lee Fisher and four other candidates, for the seat of retiring Sen. George Voinovich.
In an election that was too close to call in the weeks approaching Nov. 2, Republican John Kasich, along with running mate Mary Taylor as Lt. Governor, unseats Gov. Ted Strickland and his running mate, Yvette Brown, by a narrow margin of just under 3 percent.
Republican Mike DeWine squeaks past Democrat Richard Cordray for Attorney General. Republican David Yost is the new Auditor of State, defeating Democrat David Pepper. Republican Jon Husted beat Democrat Maryellen O’Shaughnessy for Secretary of State and Republican Josh Mandel will be the new Treasurer of State, defeating Democrat Kevin Boyce.
Justices Maureen O’Connor and Judith Lanzinger handily beat their opponents in two Supreme Court races. While judicial elections are non-partisan on the ballot, both candidates were part of the Republican “ticket.” O’Connor will be the new Chief Justice while Lanzinger retains her seat on the court.
Darke County will be represented exclusively by Republicans for the first time in more than a decade.
Republican Bill Beagle narrowly defeated incumbent State Sen. Fred Strahorn for the District 5 seat, which represents Miami County and portions of Darke and Montgomery Counties. Strahorn was appointed to replace Democratic Sen. Tom Roberts, who had served the district since 2002.
Boehner solidly defeated his opponent, Democrat Justin Coussoule for U.S. Representative. State Sen. Keith Faber (R-12) was not up for re-election this year. State Representative Jim Zehringer (R-77) was unopposed and State Representative Dick Adams (R-79) handily defeated his opponent, Democrat Howard Payne.
Stegall, with 51 percent of the vote, handily defeated Democrat David Niley and Independent Keith Smith for County Commissioner.
Re-elected in uncontested County voting were incumbents Carol Ginn, Auditor, R. Kelly Ormsby, Prosecutor and Jonathan Hein, Judge of Common Pleas.
For full details and county votes for all races, including multiple levies, go to…

Bob Robinson is the retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio. If you wish to receive a daily notification of his comments, opinions and reports, send your email address to: opinionsbybob@gmail.com. Feel free to express your views.

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