Ohio's 12th Congressional District special election (May 8, 2018 Republican primary)
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 9
- Early voting: Oct. 10 - Nov. 5
- Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: No
- Voter ID: Non-photo ID required
- Poll times: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
2018 →
← 2016
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| Ohio's 12th Congressional District special |
|---|
 |
| Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: February 7, 2018 |
| Primary: May 8, 2018 General: August 7, 2018 Pre-election incumbent: Vacant |
| How to vote |
| Poll times: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voting in Ohio |
| Race ratings |
Inside Elections: Toss-up Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Republican |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018 |
| See also |
Ohio elections, 2018 U.S. Congress elections, 2018 U.S. Senate elections, 2018 U.S. House elections, 2018 |
State Sen. Troy Balderson (R) defeated businesswoman Melanie Leneghan (R) and seven other candidates in the Republican primary for the special election in Ohio's 12th Congressional District on May 8, 2018.
When incumbent Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R) resigned from office in January 2018, the seat for Ohio's 12th Congressional District became open for the first time in 18 years, leading to a broad field of 10 Republican candidates.[1]
Tiberi endorsed Balderson and Defending Main Street spent $240,000 on a cable and digital ad buy to support Balderson in April 2018, while Leneghan rounded up endorsements from the House Freedom Caucus and Reps. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
Other satellite groups played a role in the race, including Club for Growth, which spent $150,000 on a negative ad buy alleging Balderson voted to support the Affordable Care Act in Ohio. House Freedom Action spent $187,000 on a campaign ad for Leneghan.
State Sen. Kevin Bacon (R), former Air Force intelligence officer Tim Kane (R), and prosecutor Carol O'Brien (R) were also competitive in fundraising, reporting contributions through April 18 of $282,000, $459,000, and $208,000, respectively.[2] Bacon, Balderson, and O'Brien shared support among moderate Republicans, according to The Columbus Dispatch.[3]
All candidates except for John Adams (R) ran in the special primary election, in addition to the regularly scheduled primary election.[4]
| Ohio voter? Here's what you need to know: | |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | April 9, 2018 |
| Absentee Application Deadline | May 5, 2018 |
| Primary Election | May 8, 2018 |
| Polling Times | 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| Primary Type | Open |
| General Election | August 7, 2018 |
| Results | Ohio Secretary of State |
| Polling locations: Go to this page to find early voting locations and your assigned precinct for election day. | |
Candidates and election results
The following candidates ran in the special Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 12 on May 8, 2018.
Republican primary election
Special Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 12
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Troy Balderson | 29.2 | 20,101 |
 | Melanie Leneghan | 28.3 | 19,437 | |
 | Tim Kane | 17.1 | 11,743 | |
| Kevin Bacon | 14.3 | 9,819 | ||
 | Carol O'Brien | 6.4 | 4,406 | |
 | Jon Halverstadt | 1.5 | 998 | |
 | Lawrence Cohen | 1.2 | 807 | |
 | Mick Shoemaker Jr. | 1.1 | 750 | |
 | Pat Manley | 1.1 | 729 | |
| Total votes: 68,790 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Gary Chiero (R)
- Brandon Grisez (R)
Top candidates
Troy Balderson (R)
Balderson entered the race as a second-term state senator from southeastern Ohio. He previously represented District 94 in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2009 to 2011. Prior to serving in elected office, Balderson owned and operated a family farm in Adamsville and worked at an automotive dealership.[5]
He said in a statement announcing his candidacy, "During my time in the Ohio legislature, I have been a champion for a smaller, more efficient government. I have witnessed firsthand the devastation an out-of-touch Washington, DC can have on Ohio families, particularly those in the energy industry. I intend to fight for our interests, our jobs, and for a government that stays out of the way.”[6]
His campaign website listed building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, lowering taxes, and supporting gun ownership as policy priorities.[7] Balderson was endorsed by Tiberi and the Republican Main Street Partnership.[8]
Melanie Leneghan (R)
Leneghan worked in business for 15 years after graduating summa cum lade from Ohio State University. She became a homemaker and was elected to serve as the Liberty Township Trustee in 2011.[9][10]
She said in a statement, "I’m running for Congress to be a strong conservative voice for the people of the 12th District and I will work hard every day to promote our conservative values. I will work for us and not against us. And work with President Trump to move his promises and policies forward and to Make America Great Again."[11]
On her campaign website, she listed protecting America's borders, balancing the federal budget, and repealing the Affordable Care Act as some of her policy priorities.[12] She was endorsed by the House Freedom Caucus and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.).
Endorsements
Troy Balderson
- Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-Ohio)[13]
- Ohio Right to Life PAC[14]
- Licking County Common Pleas Clerk of Courts Gary Walters[15]
- Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb[15]
- Licking County Commissioner Rick Black[15]
- Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp[15]
- Licking County Auditor Michael Smith[15]
- Licking County Recorder Bryan Long[15]
- City of Newark Mayor Jeff Hall[15]
- Former Republican Party Chairman Rod Yost[15]
- Former Republican Party Chairman Neil Carson[15]
Carol O'Brien
- Ohio State Auditor Dave Yost (R)
- Delaware County Commissioner Barb Lewis
- Delaware County Commissioner Jeff Benton
- Delaware County Sheriff Russell Martin[16]
- Delaware County Republican Party[17]
Tim Kane
- George P. Schultz, former secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan[18]
- With Honor[19]
Melanie Leneghan
- Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) – Founder of the Freedom Caucus[20]
- First Freedom Ohio[20]
- We the People Convention[20]
- National Association for Gun Rights PAC[20]
- Ohio Right to Life PAC[20]
- Ohio Value Voters[20]
- Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio[20]
- House Freedom Fund[20]
- Citizens United Political Victory Fund[20]
- FRC Action[20]
- Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) – House Freedom Caucus Chairman[20]
- Mike Gemperline – Liberty Township Trustee[20]
- Nancy DeNutte – Liberty Township Fiscal Officer[20]
- Ryan Rivers – Orange Township Trustee[20]
- Joe Garrett – Concord Township Trustee[20]
- Kris Jordan – State Senator[20]
- Lisa Knapp – Orange Township Trustee[20]
- Linda Reidelbach – Former State Representative[20]
- Ken Blackwell – Former Ohio Secretary of State[20]
- Pastor JC Church[20]
Campaign themes and policy stances
Campaign themes
This section highlights topics that each candidate emphasized during the campaign. They are generally taken verbatim from the candidate, but may also be collected from newspaper profiles, candidate forums, media interviews, voter guides, candidate survey responses, and candidate YouTube videos.
Troy Balderson
| “ |
Build the Wall & Stop Illegal Immigration Troy Balderson will work with President Trump to build the wall and protect Ohio’s working class from illegal immigration. He opposes sanctuary cities, driver’s licenses and in-state tuition for illegals, and will fight alongside President Trump to deport those here illegally. Economy & Jobs A fiscal conservative, Troy Balderson led efforts in Columbus to close Ohio’s $8 billion budget deficit and replenish the state’s rainy day fund, all without raising taxes. He strongly supports federal tax reform efforts led by President Trump that doubled the standard deduction, expanded the child tax credit, provided tax relief for small businesses and working families, and repealed the Death Tax. Troy will continue to work for lower taxes that keep more money in the pockets of Ohio families and small businesses, and out of the hands of DC politicians so good-paying, American jobs are created here at home. Troy’s leadership in the state legislature has helped Ohio do just that – nearly 500,000 new jobs have been created, helping drop unemployment across the state to under 5%, and he has voted to cut taxes for working families by $5 billion since he took office. Second Amendment Troy Balderson is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and will fight Nancy Pelosi’s liberal gun-grab. He believes the Constitution gives every law-abiding citizen protections granted to them by our founders, allowing them to hunt and protect themselves and their families. As a gun owner, he has consistently received the highest ratings from the NRA and the Buckeye Firearms Association in his past campaigns. Faith & Values Troy Balderson is a devoted Christian and elder at his church. He believes that strong leadership means leaning on that faith in tough times and relying on His word on a daily basis. As a Christian, Troy believes life begins at conception and is 100% pro-life, and it’s why Ohio Right to Life PAC has endorsed his campaign. In the legislature, Troy voted to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. In Congress, Balderson will fight to ban late-term abortions and defund Planned Parenthood. Healthcare Troy Balderson believes we must repeal and replace Obamacare once and for all. He has consistently voted to keep Obamacare out of Ohio, opposing Governor Kasich’s efforts to bring it to the state. DC Republicans ran on repealing Obamacare, and it’s time they make good on their word. Supporting President Trump Troy Balderson voted for Donald Trump and is a strong supporter of his administration. He will work with the president to drain the swamp and fight unfair trade practices hurting Ohio businesses and families.[21] |
” |
| —Balderson for Congress[22] | ||
Melanie Leneghan
| “ |
IMMIGRATION The Wall - Build it! A nation without borders is not a nation at all. A nation where people can choose whether or not to follow the laws is not a nation at all. Mexico has strict borders. So does Canada. China, Russia, India and most countries of the world have strict immigration policies. The United States is the best country in the world because of our culture of mixing in immigrants to our melting pot slowly, over time, with reasonable limits. Our country wants immigrants who are an asset to our country and who desire to take part in the American dream and to obey and respect our laws. No amnesty. Build the wall. Protect the borders. Put Americans first. SPENDING Stop it! Did you know our children and grandchildren are born owing over $60,000 to the government, before they’ve taken their first breath? Washington has a spending problem and our Republican Congressmen are doing little to nothing to slow it down, some even support spending more! I’m running for Congress to save this country for the next generation, to stop the unsustainable spending and actually eliminate our massive debt. I support President Trump’s plan to lower and simplify taxes, beyond what Congress has already done, to eliminate unnecessary and often duplicative government programs, reign in unconstitutional overreach and help drain the swamp. OBAMACARE End it! Obamacare was built on lies, and its aftermath is a big mess. It did not reduce healthcare costs as promised, nor did it reduce insurance costs. But taxes went up, spending went up, and the healthcare crisis still remains. Republicans said if we give them the House majority in 2010, they would fix it. Later they said “give us the Senate”, so we did, and still nothing. Then they said “give us the White House”, which we did. Then one by one, Republican congressmen went back on their word and fought to keep Obamacare in place. We cannot believe their lies anymore! This failed and corrupt establishment is now wholly to blame for the healthcare crisis. Congress needs to provide the tools that will allow the marketplace to drive the prices down which will allow for the doctor patient relationship to once again exist for everybody and restore freedom in selecting one’s healthcare and healthcare professionals. EDUCATION Belongs to the states! The states neither need nor want the federal government telling them how to educate their children. Common Core belongs on the trash heap of history – it was untried when Obama forced states to accept it and has become more indoctrination than education. Public school students deserve to be taught HOW to think, not what to think, and the local communities with state oversight are in the best position to decide what and how to teach. Additionally, school choice is absolutely necessary in a free country. Parents must have the right to choose the best education for their children – public, private, charter, online or homeschool. LIFE Protect it! Life is a precious gift from God, and deserves to be protected from the moment of conception. Protecting the God-given right to life of every American will be a top priority as your congresswoman. I am so happy that President Trump has demonstrated a commitment to life by appointing pro-life judges and signing pro-life laws and executive orders. I want to help him continue building a culture of “respecting life” by supporting the heartbeat bill and ending taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. THE BUDGET Balance it! Do you and your family have to watch what you spend? Does your bank allow you to write checks as long as you have more in the checkbook – regardless of whether there’s enough money in your account? Of course not. This is not rocket science. Just like American families who cannot spend forever without consequences, our government must be reigned in because our children will be forced to pay for Congress’ irresponsible spending habit. An amendment to our Constitution that requires a balanced budget is necessary in an era where most of our elected officials clearly have no self-restraint. No more earmarks. No more Continuing Resolutions. No more debt ceiling increases. Let’s get a real budget based upon real numbers and think about future generations instead of the next big payoff for DC insiders. THE SWAMP Drain it! Bureaucrats with limitless power, a Justice Department used against political opponents, our military turned into a social experiment and career politicians sitting in their comfy chairs watching it all happen while doing nothing to protect our nation or our way of life. President Trump was elected by people like us to get rid of people like them. Have you had enough of ladder-climbing politicians exploding our debt, refusing to pass an actual budget, saying they’ll do one thing when they run for office, then doing another when elected? It’s time to reject career politicians and join President Trump to take our country back. TAXES Reduce them! So Congress managed to pass a bill that mostly reduces taxes; that’s a good start and the economy and businesses are responding very positively. But America really deserves Representatives who will stop feeding at the public trough and seriously work at downsizing this out-of-control government. We have dozens of programs intended to serve those in need that are duplicative, spending on “bridges to nowhere”, and elected officials who do the bidding of lobbyists instead of constituents. If government were small, it would be less intrusive and cost less to run. We deserve a Congress that considers what’s best for the country, not what’s best for their bank account. MILITARY Support it! I am the proud daughter and granddaughter of veterans, and as Congresswoman, I will wake up every day asking what we can do to better serve those who served us. My patriotism is rooted in the brave service of my family and the countless brave men and women who wore the uniform and kept us free. I believe our military personnel were mistreated in many ways under the previous administration. They faced uncertainty because of indecisive leadership by the commander-in-chief, and they suffered through unacceptable health care delays and deteriorating quality of service at VA facilities. Under President Trump, they are getting the decisive leadership they need to accomplish their mission and restore America’s leadership in the world, and they are regaining the respect they deserve from their President and a grateful nation, both here and at home. SECOND AMENDMENT Defend it! The Second Amendment isn’t about “duck hunting”. The Second Amendment protects the Constitutional right of every law-abiding American to keep and bear arms. Period. Gun-grabbers in Washington (from both parties) are constantly looking for opportunities to weaken the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. As your Congresswoman, I will be an unshakable defender of the Second Amendment and will oppose the gun control agenda from wherever it comes![21] |
” |
| —Balderson for Congress[23] | ||
Campaign strategies and tactics
Electability
Former Ohio Republican Party chair Matt Borges said Leneghan would not be electable in the general election and could lead to a Republican loss like Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District. "[Leneghan] is out-of-step with mainstream Republicans that dominate that district, and we’ve got a bunch of candidates dividing up that majority, so we could pick someone who doesn’t represent the district with her pretty extreme viewpoints,” Borges said. “We’re looking at a situation where every seat counts to hang on the majority. We don’t need any self-inflicted wounds."[24]
Leneghan supporter and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said, "That’s always what the establishment and the swamp says." He continued, "You’ve got to turn out the grassroots, if you’re going to win a special. So she’s the best one equipped to do that. She’s the best equipped to win the general."[24]
Campaign advertisements
Troy Balderson
Support
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Oppose
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Tim Kane
Support
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Melanie Leneghan
Support
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Carol O'Brien
Support
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Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
| Ohio's 12th Congressional District election, Republican primary | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Balderson (R) | Leneghan (R) | Kane (R) | Bacon (R) | O'Brien (R) | Others | Undecided | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||
| Public Opinion Strategies (commissioned by Balderson) April 15-16, 2018 | 17% | 11% | 10% | 10% | 7% | 4% | 41% | +/-5.7 | 300 | ||||||||||
| Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | |||||||||||||||||||
Satellite spending
- Defending Main Street spent $240,000 on a cable and digital ad buy to support Balderson in April 2018.[25]
Campaign finance
Timeline
- May 2, 2018: Defending Main Street released a second ad praising Balderson as "one tough conservative."
- April 30, 2018: Club for Growth released an ad alleging Balderson voted to support the Affordable Care Act in Ohio, as part of an $150,000 ad buy. The Balderson campaign argued the ad was a "blatant falsehood" since the state Senate did not directly vote on the expansion of Medicaid. [26]
- April 20, 2018: Tiberi endorsed Balderson in a $150,000 ad campaign from Friends of Tiberi. He says in the ad, "Troy is a conservative fighter who will stand for what is right, not what's easy. As a son of farmers, Troy shares the same values and wonderful story that makes our country great."
- April 18, 2018: House Freedom Action spent $187,000 on an ad buy for Leneghan featuring an endorsement from Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).[3]
- April 5, 2018: Defending Main Street spent $240,000 on a cable and digital ad buy to support Balderson.[25]
- April 4, 2018: The House Freedom Caucus and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) endorsed Leneghan.[27]
- March 20, 2018: Balderson released his first campaign ad, touting his conservative values and commitment to constructing a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and anti-abortion policies.
- March 19, 2018: Leneghan released her first campaign ad where she described herself as a Christian conservative, constitutional conservative, and Trump conservative.
- March 10, 2018: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) endorsed Leneghan.[28]
Race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
| Race ratings: Ohio's 12th Congressional District election, 2018 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| October 30, 2018 | October 23, 2018 | October 16, 2018 | October 9, 2018 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report | Toss-up | Toss-up | Lean Republican | Lean Republican | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Toss-up | Toss-up | Toss-up | Tilt Republican | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean Republican | Lean Republican | Lean Republican | Toss-up | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every two weeks throughout the election season. | |||||||||
District election history
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Patrick Tiberi (R) defeated Ed Albertson (D) and Joe Manchik (Green) in the general election. All three candidates ran unopposed in their respective primaries.[29]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Patrick Tiberi Incumbent |
66.6% | 251,266 | |
| Democratic | Ed Albertson | 29.8% | 112,638 | |
| Green | Joe Manchik | 3.6% | 13,474 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0% | 156 | |
| Total Votes | 377,534 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State | ||||
2014
The 12th Congressional District of Ohio held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Patrick Tiberi (R) defeated David Tibbs (D) and Bob Hart (G) in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Patrick Tiberi Incumbent |
68.1% | 150,573 | |
| Democratic | David Tibbs | 27.8% | 61,360 | |
| Green | Bob Hart | 4.1% | 9,148 | |
| Total Votes | 221,081 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State | ||||
2012
The 12th Congressional District of Ohio held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Patrick J. Tiberi won re-election in the district.[30]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Reese | 36.5% | 134,605 | |
| Republican | Patrick J. Tiberi Incumbent |
63.5% | 233,869 | |
| Total Votes | 368,474 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Patrick Tiberi won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Paula Brooks (D) and Travis Irvine (L) in the general election.[31]
| U.S. House, Ohio District 12 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Patrick J. Tiberi incumbent |
55.8% | 150,163 | |
| Democratic | Paula Brooks | 41% | 110,307 | |
| Libertarian | Travis M. Irvine | 3.2% | 8,710 | |
| Total Votes | 269,180 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Patrick Tiberi won re-election to the United States House. He defeated David Robinson (D) and Steven Linnaberry (L) in the general election.[32]
| U.S. House, Ohio District 12 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Patrick Tiberi |
54.8% | 197,447 | |
| Democratic | David Robinson | 42.2% | 152,234 | |
| Libertarian | Steven Linnaberry | 3% | 10,707 | |
| Total Votes | 360,388 | |||
State overview
Partisan control
This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Ohio heading into the 2018 elections.
Congressional delegation
- Following the 2016 elections, Democrats and Republicans each held one U.S. Senate seat in Ohio.
- Republicans held 11 of 16 U.S. House seats in Ohio.
State executives
- As of May 2018, Republicans held six out of six elected state executive positions.
- The governor of Ohio was Republican John Kasich.
State legislature
- Republicans controlled both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly. They had a 23-9 majority in the state Senate and a 66-32 majority in the state House.
Trifecta status
- Ohio was under Republican trifecta control since the governor was a Republican and both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly were under Republican control.
2018 elections
- See also: Ohio elections, 2018
Ohio held elections for the following positions in 2018:
- One U.S. Senate seat
- 16 U.S. House seats
- Governor and lieutenant governor
- Five other state executive offices
- 17 out of 33 state Senate seats
- 99 state House seats
- Two of seven state Supreme Court seats
- Municipal elections in Cuyahoga, Fairfield, Franklin, Hamilton, and Lucas counties, as well as the city of Toledo
Demographics
| Demographic data for Ohio | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 11,605,090 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 40,861 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 82.4% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 12.2% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.9% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.5% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 3.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 89.1% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 26.1% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $49,429 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 19.6% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Ohio. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
As of July 2017, Ohio had a population of 11,700,000 people, with its three largest cities being Columbus (pop. est. 860,000), Cleveland (pop. est. 390,000), and Cincinnati (pop. est. 300,000).[33][34]
State election history
This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Ohio from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Historical elections
Presidential elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of the presidential election in Ohio every year from 2000 to 2016.
| Election results (President of the United States), Ohio 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2016 | Donald Trump |
52.1% |  Hillary Clinton |
43.5% | 8.6% |
| 2012 | Barack Obama |
50.7% | Mitt Romney |
47.7% | 3.0% |
| 2008 | Barack Obama |
51.5% | John McCain |
46.9% | 4.6% |
| 2004 | George W. Bush |
50.8% | John Kerry |
48.7% | 2.1% |
| 2000 | George W. Bush |
50.0% | Al Gore |
46.5% | 3.5% |
U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in Ohio from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.
| Election results (U.S. Senator), Ohio 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2016 | Rob Portman |
58.0% | Ted Strickland |
37.2% | 20.8% |
| 2012 | Sherrod Brown |
50.7% | Josh Mandel |
44.7% | 6.0% |
| 2010 | Rob Portman |
56.8% | Lee Fisher |
39.4% | 17.4% |
| 2006 | Sherrod Brown |
56.2% | Mike DeWine |
43.8% | 12.4% |
| 2004 | George Voinovich |
63.9% | Eric Fingerhut |
36.1% | 27.8% |
| 2000 | Mike DeWine |
59.9% | Ted Celeste |
35.9% | 24.0% |
Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Ohio.
| Election results (Governor), Ohio 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2014 | John Kasich |
63.6% | Ed Fitzgerald |
33.0% | 30.6% |
| 2010 | John Kasich |
49.0% | Ted Strickland |
47.0% | 2.0% |
| 2006 | Ted Strickland |
60.5% | Ken Blackwell |
36.6% | 23.9% |
| 2002 | Robert Taft |
57.8% | Tim Hagan |
38.3% | 19.5% |
Congressional delegation, 2000-2016
This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Ohio in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.
| Congressional delegation, Ohio 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Republicans | Republicans (%) | Democrats | Democrats (%) | Balance of power |
| 2016 | 12 |
75.0% | 4 |
25.0% | R+8 |
| 2014 | 12 |
75.0% | 4 |
25.0% | R+8 |
| 2012 | 12 |
75.0% | 4 |
25.0% | R+8 |
| 2010 | 13 |
72.2% | 5 |
27.8% | R+8 |
| 2008 | 8 |
44.4% | 10 |
55.6% | D+2 |
| 2006 | 11 |
61.1% | 7 |
38.9% | R+4 |
| 2004 | 12 |
66.7% | 6 |
33.3% | R+6 |
| 2002 | 12 |
66.7% | 6 |
33.3% | R+6 |
| 2000 | 11 |
57.9% | 8 |
42.1% | R+3 |
Trifectas, 1992-2017
A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.
Ohio Party Control: 1992-2024
No Democratic trifectas • Twenty-six years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| House | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
See also
- Special elections to the 115th United States Congress (2017-2018)
- Ohio's 12th Congressional District special election (May 8, 2018 Democratic primary)
- United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2018
- Ohio's 12th Congressional District election, 2018
- United States House of Representatives
- United States congressional delegations from Ohio
- Ohio's 12th Congressional District
Footnotes
- ↑ Franklin County, "2018 Candidate Data," accessed April 5, 2018
- ↑ FEC, "Ohio - House District 12," accessed May 1, 2018
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Columbus Dispatch, "Conservative group airing ads for Leneghan in open Tiberi district," April 18, 2018
- ↑ Franklin County, "2018 Candidate Data," accessed April 5, 2018
- ↑ Balderson for Congress, "Meet Troy," accessed May 1, 2018
- ↑ The Delaware Gazette, "Russell, Balderson announce candidacy for 12th District race," December 7, 2017
- ↑ Balderson for Congress, "Issues," accessed May 1, 2018
- ↑ Roll Call, "Republican Main Street Partnership Backs 10 Recruits," April 16, 2018
- ↑ Leneghan for Congress, "About," accessed May 1, 2018
- ↑ http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/2011/11/08/races/liberty-orange-trustees.html This Week Community News, "Three incumbents lose trustee seats," November 9, 2011
- ↑ Leneghan for Congress, "Home," accessed May 1, 2018
- ↑ Leneghan for Congress, "Issues," accessed May 1, 2018
- ↑ The Hill, "Tiberi endorses would-be successor ahead of GOP primary," April 20, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Troy Balderson," March 20, 2018
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 Facebook, "Balderson for Congress," March 8, 2018
- ↑ Carol O'Brien for U.S. Congress, "Endorsements," accessed January 19, 2018
- ↑ Sunbury News, "Delaware County Republican Party endorses Carol O’Brien in 12th Congressional District and selects Gebhardt as new Chairman," April 5, 2018
- ↑ Columbus Dispatch, "Reagan's Secretary of State to Raise Cash," February 21, 2018
- ↑ With Honor, "Press Release: With Honor Endorses Nine Principled Veterans for Congress," March 15, 2018
- ↑ 20.00 20.01 20.02 20.03 20.04 20.05 20.06 20.07 20.08 20.09 20.10 20.11 20.12 20.13 20.14 20.15 20.16 20.17 20.18 20.19 Leneghan for Congress, "Endorsements," accessed May 2, 2018
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Balderson for Congress, "Issues," accessed May 2, 2018
- ↑ Leneghan for Congress, "Issues," accessed May 2, 2018
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Politico, "GOP civil war in Ohio threatens another special election loss," April 30, 2018
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Roll Call, "Super PAC Drops Six Figures In Ohio 12 For Balderson," April 5, 2018
- ↑ Columbus Dispatch, "Balderson campaign drafting cease-and-desist letter on Club for Growth ad," March 30, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Jeremy Pelzer," April 4, 2018
- ↑ Buckeye Lake Beacon, "Jordan endorses Leneghan for Congress," March 10, 2018
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Ohio 2016 March Primary Candidate List," accessed March 11, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Ohio," accessed November 11, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ United States Census Bureau, "QuickFacts - Ohio," accessed April 4, 2018
- ↑ Ohio Demographics, "Ohio Cities by Population," accessed April 4, 2018
