Ohio Midterm Elections

2010 Midterm Elections:Ohio

Veronica HoukMelanie Wicander

Vanessa Nunez

The Candidates

• Rob Portman - Republican

• Lee Fisher - Democrat

• Each competing for incumbent George Voinovich’s (R) Seat (incumbent won by 63.85%)

Rob Portman

• History 1993-2005: U.S. House of Representatives

representing Ohio’s 2nd Congressional Court

Held two federal cabinet positions under George W. Bush

2005-2006: U.S. Trade Representative

2006-2007: Director of the Office of Management and Budget

• Ran uncontested in primary elections

Rob Portman• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJKtNX4YD

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Lee Fisher• History

1981-1982: State House of Representatives

1982-1990: State Senate

1991-1995: Attorney General of Ohio

Lost bid for re-election to Republican Candidate

Failed candidacy for Governor of Ohio in 1998

Current Lieutenant Governor of Ohio under Governor Ted Strickland

• Beat Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner in Primary Election

Lee Fisher• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VUf0kB6

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Ohio’s Background• Population – 11,542,645 in 2009

Ranked 7th in the country

• Unemployment 10.7% in May 2010

• Largest Bioscience Center in the Midwest

• Largest producer of plastic, rubber, fabricated metals, electrical equipment, and appliances in the country

Ohio’s Background(continued)

• Largest industry by employment is trade/transportation/utilities

• Largest industry by Grosse Domestic Product is manufacturing/financial activities

• 84.7% White; 12.1% Black; 2.8% Hispanic; 1.6% Asian

– (2009)

• Median household income $48,011 (2008)

• Bachelor’s Degree or + - 21.1% (2000)

• High School Graduates - 83% (2000)

Ohio’s Political History

• Key swing state in past elections

– Big and industrialized

– Conservative and liberal population; a microcosm

– Battleground with major influence

– Winner usually takes Ohio; 2004 Presidential election

• Control has oscillated between Democrats and Republicans

– Balance in Ohio government

– Blue Northeast, red Southwest

Key Issues

• Hurting economy

– Jobs losses• Attacks on Portman (R) for his support of free trade as trade

representative and budget director for George W. Bush

• Counter attack on Fisher (D) for failing to bring in new jobs and stop jobs for going to other states as lieutenant governor and development director

• Frustration with the establishment

– “Washington is broken” – Fisher

News Coverage

• As of right now the media coverage for the senatorial race in Ohio has been pretty sparse.

• There hasn't been much coverage, mostly the focus seems to be on the gubernatorial race between Strickland and Kasich instead.

Prevailing Topics

• Possible shift of Ohio from blue to red. – Portman leading in the polls with a 55-35 lead.

• Each candidate’s fundraising:Fisher: $4.9 millionPortman: $10.7 million

• Some think that maybe its because Fisher is a Washington " outsider" and was never been "popular" with the Democratic party and there is questions on whether they will continue to fund his campaign.

• Thoughts that voters are losing hope with the democrats and Obama administration as reason why republicans are fairing well in the polls. – “bad environment” for Democrats right now.