Republicans sweep Ohio executive offices

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Republican John Kasich coasted to re-election as Ohio’s governor on Tuesday, leading an across-the-board GOP sweep of statewide offices.

Kasich’s victory over Cleveland Democrat Ed FitzGerald, the Cuyahoga County executive, was expected after the challenger’s campaign missteps left him seriously behind in polls and fundraising.

Kasich, 62, told supporters at a downtown victory rally that voters backed his campaign because Ohio’s Republican party has made efforts to help many groups, including those who are mentally ill, drug-addicted and poor.

“I think what we’re beginning to do in our state, with all of your help, we’re beginning to show the rest of the country that by reaching out, by having a good head and building a strong economy, but a good heart that recognizes the struggle of those who oftentimes have been left behind, people now in Ohio feel included,” Kasich said. “They feel optimistic, they feel hopeful.”

Kasich not only won most among most demographic groups, but he also did better than four years ago among blacks, moderates, voters without a college degree and even Democrats, according to the preliminary results of an exit poll conducted for the AP and the television networks.

For Democrats, all the news in statewide offices was bad.

Voters swept incumbent GOP statewide officeholders back into office, and returned two Republican justices to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Secretary of State Jon Husted beat state Sen. Nina Turner of Cleveland and Attorney General Mike DeWine beat back an aggressive challenge by Cincinnati lawyer David Pepper. Also, Auditor Dave Yost and Treasurer Josh Mandel won second terms over Democratic state Reps. John Patrick Carney and Connie Pillich, respectively.

For the high court, Kasich appointee Judith French managed to hold onto her seat against Cuyahoga County judge John O’Donnell, whose Irish surname was considered a positive among voters. Fellow Republican Sharon Kennedy easily beat state Rep. Tom Letson.

, allowing the GOP to retain its 6-1 majority on the court.

Republicans also maintained control of both chambers of the state Legislature, picking up seats in the Ohio House.