FitzGerald wins Dem nod; Issue 1 approved

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald spent Tuesday doing what he’s been doing for more than a year — criticizing Gov. John Kasich and pledging to undo Republican policies if elected in November.

The difference was that FitzGerald ended the day as the Democratic nominee to face Kasich in the fall, overcoming a challenge by out-of-nowhere Dayton-area resident Larry Ealy.

FitzGerald was well ahead of his challenger, 83 percent to 17 percent, with about half of the precincts reporting late Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

Connie Wehrkamp, spokeswoman for the Kasich campaign, said the governor’s “record of creating jobs, balancing budgets and cutting taxes resonates with Ohioans across party lines.”

As evidence, voters backed Kasich’s state bond issue to provide nearly $1.9 billion for roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. With about 65 percent of precincts reporting late Tuesday, nearly 65 percent of 867,456 votes cast supported Issue 1.

And four other Democrats officially secured party nominations for statewide office: Sen. Nina Turner for secretary of state, David Pepper for attorney general, Rep. John Carney for auditor and Rep. Connie Pillich for treasurer.

They will face the Republican incumbents: Secretary of State Jon Husted, Attorney General Mike DeWine, Auditor Dave Yost and Treasurer Josh Mandel.