Notable Ohio races, 2016
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| Notable Ohio Races | |
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| Primary | March 15, 2016 |
| General | November 8, 2016 |
| 2016 Notable Races | |
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| Choose a state below: | |
Among the 11 state-level battleground contests Ballotpedia identified in the 2016 Ohio primary elections, four races involved candidates challenging Republican incumbents. All four incumbents defeated their challengers.
| HIGHLIGHTS | |
Overview
- 76 state House incumbents ran for re-election, the same number as in 2014, as are nine state Senate incumbents, four fewer than in 2014.
- Of the first nine states with filing deadlines, Ohio had the fewest incumbents running for re-election.
- Four state Senate incumbents, all Republicans, faced primary competition.
- 10 state House incumbents (four Democrats and six Republicans) faced primary competition.
Before the general election, Republicans held the state House and the state Senate majorities by 30 seats and 13 seats, respectively. Both chambers remained in Republican control after 2016, with the possibility of a small shift in either direction.
What makes a race a battleground?
- Republicans and Democrats who challenge incumbents they consider insufficiently conservative or liberal
- Rematches between candidates
- Races that receive considerable media attention, including national media attention
- Noteworthy races involving party leaders
- Open, competitive races with Republican and Democratic primaries
- Races that capture money or attention from outside groups, including endorsements
Know of an interesting race we should include here? Email us!
Ohio State Senate
- Main article: Ohio State Senate elections, 2016
District 10
A conservative challenged the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Sen. Robert Hackett (R) ran for re-election after being appointed to replace outgoing state Sen. Chris Widener in January 2016. Hackett defeated Brian Walton (R) in the primary. Matthew Kirk (D) defeated Michael Gilbert (D) in the Democratic primary.
Walton highlighted the issue of abortion in his campaign against Hackett. Walton said that while Hackett co-sponsored a bill to prevent abortions "once a fetal heartbeat has been detected," Hackett "for some reason voted against it in a close 47-40 vote where it failed to pass with the required 50 votes." According to Hackett's website, "I have always passionately supported pro-life legislation to protect the most innocent and vulnerable among us. This stance will never change." Hackett also noted the endorsement of former state Sen. Lynn Wachtmann, the original sponsor of the anti-abortion bill, on his website.[1][2]
Hackett was endorsed by Widener for re-election. Below were other key endorsements for Hackett and Walton.[3][4]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Hackett | Walton |
| Madison County Republican Party | Ohio Citizens PAC |
| Ohio Right to Life | Greene County Republican Central Committee |
| Ohio Chamber of Commerce | |
| National Federation of Independent Businesses | |
District 12
Two former officeholders faced each other in the Republican primary.
Incumbent state Sen. Keith Faber was ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Matt Huffman (R), a former state representative, defeated John Adams (R), another former representative, in the Republican primary.
Adams said that Huffman was backed by "the Columbus lobbyists" and other special interests. "With all due respect, my opponent may be a nice guy, but he is heavily supported in this race by most of establishment politicians because he was a ‘yes man,’ especially during his last years in office," Adams said. Huffman said he focused his campaign on local issues and did not take endorsements from those outside District 12. "My opponent has endorsements from people in Medina and other counties, but this is about these seven counties. This race is about who is the best representative for the 12th District," Huffman said.[5]
Below were key endorsements for Huffman and Adams.[6][7]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Huffman | Adams |
| U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan | Janet Folger Porter, Founder, Faith2Action |
| State Rep. Jim Buchy | Heidi Huber, Ohioans Against Common Core |
| Ohio Right to Life PAC | |
District 22
A conservative activist challenged the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Sen. Larry Obhof (R) defeated Janet Folger Porter (R) in the primary.
Porter, the founder and president of Faith2Action, ran on opposition to abortion rights and same-sex marriage. She was also a legislative director for Ohio Right to Life for nine years. Porter decided to challenge Obhof after he declined to bring a bill prohibiting abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected to the floor of the state Senate. "We’re running against the Republican obstructionist establishment. ...There’s more they can do to represent life, liberty and the family," Porter said. Obhof responded that he has "a very strong pro-life voting record."[8]
Below were key endorsements for Obhof and Porter. Porter received endorsements from nationally known conservative individuals.[9][10]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Obhof | Porter |
| Buckeye Firearms Association PAC | Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee |
| National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund | Phyllis Schlafly - Eagle Forum |
| Ohio Chamber of Commerce PAC | Troy Newman - Operation Rescue |
| Ohio Right to Life | Larry Pratt - Gun Owners of America |
Ohio State House of Representatives
- Main article: Ohio House of Representatives elections, 2016
District 7
A race that has received national media coverage.
Incumbent state Rep. Mike Dovilla (R) did not run for re-election. State Sen. and Majority Leader Thomas Patton (R) defeated Jennifer Herold (R) in the Republican primary. David Thurau (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Patton made national news when he suggested in an interview that Herold may not be fit to serve as a state representative because of her young children. "The gal that's running against me is a 30-year-old, you know, mom, mother of two infants," he said.[11][12][13]
Referring to Herold as "sweetie" and "young gal" in the interview, Patton also said, "And I don't know if anybody explained to her we've got to spend three nights a week in Columbus. ... So, how does that work out for you? I waited until I was 48 and my kids were raised, and at least adults, before we took the opportunity to try." His comments were cited by the Huffington Post and The Today Show.[11][12]
Herold responded on her Facebook page:[14]
| “ | The decision to run for State Representative is one that my family and I took very seriously when we made it. We realize the sacrifice that is involved in holding such a position.
However, Tom Patton has crossed a line by trying to turn the fact that I am a mother of two children, into a negative campaign issue. It’s insulting for my opponent to suggest that 'motherhood' is a liability. In fact, my experience as a Mom is perhaps my greatest strength.[14][15] |
” |
| —Jennifer Herold | ||
Patton later apologized for his remarks. "As a widower who raised five daughters, it was not my intention to suggest that a young mother couldn't serve ably in the legislature. ... I would ask to be judged on my hard work and advocacy for working families. I sincerely apologize if my words were misplaced on this matter." Patton said.[11]
District 12
A rematch from 2014 between two Democrats.
Incumbent state Rep. John E. Barnes Jr. (D), who defeated Jill Miller Zimon (D) in the 2014 Democratic primary, again defeated Zimon in the 2016 primary. Zimon challenged Barnes on his level of support for traditionally Democratic causes. Zimon's 2016 website stated, "We need a Real Democrat fighting for us in Columbus." Zimon's campaign issues include Medicaid expansion, criminal justice reform, voting rights, and abortion rights.[16]
Zimon was previously endorsed by the Ohio Democratic Party, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) in 2014. Zimon's 2014 challenge against Barnes focused on his record on infrastructure improvements and education. "The current state rep has not been someone who's been a strong advocate or fighter on behalf of these kinds of issues," Zimon said in 2014. According to Gongwer News Service, Barnes does not participate in the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and sued the state party's former chair for defamation in 2014.[17]
Below were the key endorsements for Zimon. Barnes did not have a campaign website that listed endorsements:[18]
| Key endorsements |
|---|
| Zimon |
| Ohio AFL-CIO |
| Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus |
| Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Local 1 |
| North Shore AFL-CIO |
District 16
A district identified by Democrats as a potential pick-up.
Incumbent state Rep. Nan Baker did not run for re-election. Tommy Greene (D) and Dave Greenspan (R) were unopposed in the Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively. According to the website Cleveland.com, "Democrats, the minority party in Columbus, see it [District 16] as a potential pick-up."[19]
The Democratic and Republican parties of Cuyahoga County endorsed Greene and Greenspan, respectively.[20][21]
District 27
A conservative activist challenged the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr. (R) defeated Heidi Huber (R) in the primary.
In 2014, Huber helped Brinkman unseat then-incumbent state Rep. Peter Stautberg in the Republican primary on a platform of repealing Common Core, the national education standards Ohio adopted in 2010. "Heidi helped me win last time, there's no question about that," said Brinkman.[22]
Huber challenged Brinkman for not acting more to repeal Common Core in the legislature, though Brinkman co-sponsored a bill to repeal it. "There's more to it than slapping your name on it. ... There's more work to be done," said Huber. Brinkman noted that Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) supports Common Core and would veto it's repeal.[22]
Brinkman and Huber argued over other issues, including Brinkman's vote against a non-binding resolution telling President Obama not to re-locate Syrian refugees in Ohio. Brinkman said the resolution was "a bunch of baloney," while Huber called Brinkman's vote "very ill-informed."[22]
District 51
A Republican incumbent ran without the party's endorsement.
Incumbent state Rep. Wes Retherford (R) defeated former state Rep. Courtney Combs (R) in the primary.
The Ohio Republican Party and the Butler County Republican Party endorsed Combs over incumbent Retherford. Though both candidates promised to drop out if they did not receive the party's endorsement, Retherford chose to stay in the race, "angering several Butler County Republicans," according to Cincinnati.com.[23]
Butler County Republican Party executive chairman Todd Hall criticized Retherford and another state House candidate, Candice Keller, for continuing their campaigns despite losing party endorsements to their challengers. “Two candidates promised the (Central) Committee that they wouldn’t even run for the office if they did not receive the endorsement. ... It is an unfortunate fact that, after decisively losing the endorsement, they decided to run anyway,” Hall said.[24]
District 53
A non-incumbent Republican candidate continued to run without the party's endorsement.
Incumbent state Rep. Timothy Derickson (R) did not run for re-election due to term limits. Candice Keller (R) defeated Joe Mulligan (R) in the Republican primary. Suzi Rubin (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Mulligan received the endorsement of the Butler County Republican Party. Keller allegedly said that she would not run against Mulligan if she did not receive the party's endorsement. After the endorsement, she told the Journal-News she would "have to meet with her campaign committee to discuss" continuing her campaign. Keller eventually announced she would continue her campaign.[25]
Butler County Republican Party executive chairman Todd Hall criticized Keller and another state House candidate, State Rep. Wes Retherford, for continuing their campaigns despite losing party endorsements to their challengers. “Two candidates promised the (Central) Committee that they wouldn’t even run for the office if they did not receive the endorsement. ... It is an unfortunate fact that, after decisively losing the endorsement, they decided to run anyway,” Hall said.[26]
District 62
Conservative groups endorsed different candidates.
Incumbent state Rep. Ron Maag (R) did not run for re-election. Scott Lipps (R) defeated Steve Muterspaw (R) and Ray Warrick (R) in the primary.
Below were key endorsements for Lipps and Muterspaw. Lipps received endorsements from business groups, Ohio Right to Life, and a former state House majority whip, while Muterspaw received endorsements from the Warren County Right to Life and two former elected officials. Warrick's website did not list any endorsements.[27][28][29]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Lipps | Muterspaw |
| Ohio Chamber of Commerce PAC | U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan |
| National Federation of Independent Business PAC (NFIB) | Conservative Republican Leadership Committee |
| Ohio Right to Life PAC | Warren County Right to Life |
| Former Ohio House Majority Whip Michelle Schneider | Former State Rep. Seth Morgan |
District 72
A former Ohio House Speaker ran in the primary without the outgoing incumbent's endorsement.
Incumbent state Rep. Bill Hayes (R) did not run for re-election. Former Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R) defeated Cliff Biggers (R) in the primary.
Hayes endorsed Biggers in the Republican primary over Householder.[30]
According to The Associated Press, "High interest in the seat shows top Republicans aren’t clearing the way for Householder’s victory." In 2006, Householder left the legislature during a federal investigation into "allegations of money laundering and irregular campaign practices." The U.S. Department of Justice did not prosecute after two years of investigation.[31]
The Associated Press also noted that "the winner of the Republican primary will almost certainly land the seat."[31]
Freshman legislators
The following is a list of challengers who won election on November 8.
- Adam Miller (Ohio) (Democratic), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 17
- Bernadine Kennedy Kent (Democratic), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 25
- Bill Seitz (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 30
- Brigid Kelly (Democratic), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 31
- Candice Keller (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 53
- Catherine Ingram (Democratic), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 32
- Craig Riedel (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 82
- Darrell Kick (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 70
- Dave Greenspan (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 16
- Derek Merrin (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 47
- Dick Stein (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 57
- Frank Hoagland (Republican), .Ohio State Senate, District 30
- Glenn Holmes (Democratic), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 63
- Jay Edwards (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 94
- Jim Hughes (Ohio) (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 24
- Keith Faber (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 84
- Larry Householder (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 72
- Laura Lanese (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 23
- Louis Terhar (Republican), .Ohio State Senate, District 8
- Matt Dolan (Republican), .Ohio State Senate, District 24
- Matt Huffman (Republican), .Ohio State Senate, District 12
- Rick Carfagna (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 68
- Scott Lipps (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 62
- Scott Wiggam (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 1
- Sean O'Brien (Ohio) (Democratic), .Ohio State Senate, District 32
- Stephanie Kunze (Republican), .Ohio State Senate, District 16
- Thomas Patton (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 7
- Thomas West (Democratic), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 49
- Vernon Sykes (Democratic), .Ohio State Senate, District 28
- Wes Goodman (Republican), .Ohio House of Representatives, District 87
Defeated incumbents
The following is a list of incumbents who were defeated on November 8.
- Lou Gentile (Democratic), .Ohio State Senate, District 30
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Walton for Ohio, "Heartbeat Bill," accessed February 29, 2016
- ↑ Bob Hackett for Ohio, "Platform," accessed February, 29, 2016
- ↑ Bob Hackett for Ohio, "Endorsements," accessed February, 29, 2016
- ↑ Facebook, "Brian Walton for Ohio State Senate," February 15, 2016
- ↑ Sidney Daily News, "Two candidates vie for 12th District Senate seat," February 14, 2016
- ↑ Adams for Ohio, "Endorsements," accessed February 29, 2016
- ↑ Matt Huffman, "Achievements," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ The Medina-Gazette, "Christian activist seeks Ohio Sen. Larry Obhof’s seat," December 17, 2015
- ↑ Janet Folger Porter, "Gov. Huckabee: Janet Folger Porter is 'One of the most Fearless Champions for Faith, Family & for Freedom I've ever known,'" accessed February 29, 2016
- ↑ LarryObhof.com, "News," accessed February 29, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Today.com, "Mom: Senator 'crossed a line' in questioning my ability to seek office with 2 kids," January 29, 2016
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Huffington Post, "Ohio Politician Suggests His 'Young Gal' Opponent Can't Handle Elected Office," January 28, 2016
- ↑ America's Work Force Radio, "Today’s show 1-18-16 - Tom Patton," January 18, 2016
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Facebook, "Herold for Ohio - January 28, 2016 post," January 28, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ JillMillerZimon.com, "Home page," accessed February 26, 2016
- ↑ Gongwer News Service, "Zimon Looks To Topple Barnes in House District 12 Rematch," February 12, 2016
- ↑ JillMillerZimon.com, "Endorsements," accessed February 26, 2016
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Democratic operative Tommy Greene launches campaign for Ohio House District 16 seat," April 8, 2015
- ↑ GreenspanforOhio.com, "Endorsements," accessed February 26, 2016
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Democratic Party does not endorse in prosecutor's race," December 17, 2015
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Cincinnati.com, "Archconservatives square off on East Side," February 28, 2016
- ↑ Cincinnati.com, "Ohio GOP won't endorse local State Rep," February 9, 2016
- ↑ Journal-News, "Butler GOP chair says 2 statehouse candidates ‘lied’ to the party," January 29, 2016
- ↑ Journal-News, "Former state rep gets GOP endorsement over the incumbent," December 1, 2015
- ↑ Journal-News, "Butler GOP chair says 2 statehouse candidates ‘lied’ to the party," January 29, 2016
- ↑ ScottLipps.com, "Endorsements," accessed February 29, 2016
- ↑ SteveMuterspaw.com, "Home page," accessed February, 29, 2016
- ↑ RayWarrick.us, "Home page," accessed February 29, 2016
- ↑ Zanesville Times Recorder, "Hayes endorses Biggers for House seat," February 10, 2016
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 The Associated Press, "Ex-Ohio House speaker wouldn’t run unopposed in comeback," December 6, 2015
