Industrial states turn to Democrats while GOP reigns in Ohio [View All]

[ProSense]

February 11, 2006

Industrial states turn to Democrats while GOP reigns in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Twelve years after the GOP reigned in five industrial, mainly Midwestern states, only Ohio is still governed by a Republican.

Democrats lead Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin but have been shut out in Ohio since Richard Celeste left office in 1991. Geography, finances and political farm systems have played a role.

This year's race for Ohio governor is open for the first time since 1998. It is vying for voters' attention with state and national ethics scandals two years after the Republican stronghold returned President Bush to the White House.

Ohio stayed under a GOP administration mostly for two reasons, said Paul Beck, a political scientist at Ohio State University. While far from prosperous, the state's economy was in better shape four years ago than many industrial states, especially Michigan, and the Democratic parties in the other states are better organized than Ohio's, he said.

All five states had Republican governors in 1994. All have heavy manufacturing interests but also are highly dependent on agriculture.

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Just say corruption.