GOVERNOR'S RACE For Taft, Hagan, battle is atypical

The 17th Congressional District race could be a key factor in the gubernatorial race, Tim Hagan says.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Democrat-dominated Mahoning Valley is a battleground in the race between Gov. Bob Taft, a Republican, and Democrat Tim Hagan, born and raised in Youngstown, but it's not the typical political battle.
Taft's campaign is basically acknowledging defeat in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, but Taft is making frequent visits to the Valley to make sure the loss isn't devastating. Campaign officials say they would be happy if the governor gets the same 37 percent he had in the 1998 race against Lee Fisher, a better-funded Democrat than Hagan.
Hagan says a strong voter turnout in the Mahoning Valley -- helped by interest in the 17th Congressional District race and to a lesser extent, the 6th Congressional District race -- "could put me over the top."
Taft and Hagan, frequent visitors in recent months, were back Monday.
Taft visited the Youngstown Business Incubator during the final leg of a three-day, 13-city stump. Hagan was at a get-out-the-vote labor rally attended by more than 300 people at the Mahoning County Club in Girard.
State polls have Taft leading Hagan by as little as 7 percent and as much as 16 percent.
Staying hopeful
Even though Taft has raised more than $9 million and is airing frequent TV commercials, compared to less than $1 million for Hagan, whose only commercials is a spot that features the entire Democratic ticket, the governor isn't taking anything for granted.
"We're hopeful, but you never rest content until the votes are counted," he said. "I read the polls, but I don't pay a lot of attention. I just go forward. We have a strong campaign all over the state. We have a media campaign because you have a state of 11 million so you have to have [TV] to reach everyone. I only know one way to run and that's scared."
Hagan says he expects an exceptionally tight race and if Democrat Timothy J. Ryan can pull a solid win in the 17th Congressional District race with high voter turnout, it will help his campaign.
"Tim Ryan's race will be the key," Hagan said. "I need this Valley."
To a much lesser extent, Taft is hoping Republican Ann Womer Benjamin, Ryan's opponent, to do well next week and help him here. Taft is campaigning with Womer Benjamin in the Valley.
"This whole election is about turnout," Ohio Democratic Chairman Dennis White said at the labor rally.
"If we can get the Mahoning Valley and Cuyahoga County and Dayton out, it will help Hagan. There's a lot of interest in the local congressional races, which will bring Democrats out."
skolnick@vindy.com