AMCNO Election Summary

With President-elect Barack Obama (D) defeating John McCain (R) by a 51-47 percentage margin in Ohio, Democrats here were also picking up two Congressional seats and winning control of the Ohio House - by a 53-46 margin. That Ohio House margin could change slightly because recounts are taking place in a number of districts. Republicans continued to hold a firm majority in the Ohio Senate, 21-12.

In Congress, the seat of retiring Congressman Ralph Regula (Canton area) was not retained by the Republicans. Democrat State Senator Steve Boccieri won that seat while in the 1st Congressional District; Republican Steve Chabot was also defeated. Democrat State Senator Steve Driehaus was the victor in that race. Changes will also occur in the 5th Congressional District due to the retirement of Deborah Pryce (R). That victor will be either Republican State Senator Steve Stivers or Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy. That race is now in a recount. Ohio’s two U.S. Senators were not up for re-election. Republican George Voinovich will face reelection in 2010.

Ohio Supreme Court: Both Justice Stratton and Justice O'Connor won reelection to the Ohio Supreme Court. Justice Stratton claimed a big 63 percent to 37 percent victory over Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Peter Sikora, while Justice O’Connor defeated another Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge, Joseph Russo 67 percent to 33 percent. This was accomplished with the help of the AMCNO and support from the AMCNO PAC – NOMPAC and the physician community. In addition, AMCNO physician leaders took time out of their busy schedule to visit polling sites in the Northern Ohio region to provide NOMPAC information to voters on the Ohio Supreme Court race as well as the Common pleas and Appellate judicial races supported by our PAC (see recap below).

Common Pleas and Appellate Judges: The Academy's PAC – NOMPAC - supported three local races in Cuyahoga County and all those judges were victorious. Those judges included Democrat Larry Jones in the 8th District Appellate Court and Richard McMonagle and Deena Calabrese for the Court of Common Pleas. However, the PAC supported candidate in Lake County was Randi LeHoty and she was unsuccessful in her race for Lake County Common Pleas.

Ohio Attorney General: In the Ohio Attorney General race, Democrat Richard Cordray defeated Republican Michael Crites. This office is important to physicians because of its oversight of non profit entities and because of its potential role in the physician ranking issues. Cordray will now stand for reelection in 2010 against a yet to be determined Republican.

Northern Ohio candidate recap

Ohio House race – District 18 - Incumbent: Rep. Jennifer Brady (D). Brady was beaten by the Republican candidate, Nan Baker, a Westlake city councilwoman and small-business owner. Baker beat out Brady 51 percent to 49 percent. 18th District – Ohio House (Cuyahoga).

Ohio House race – District 20 - Incumbent: Rep. Thomas Patton (R, ran for the Senate). Back in July State Senator Bob Spada made the decision not to run for this House seat which forced the Republicans to locate a new candidate, Colleen Grady. Ms. Grady lost to Democrat Matt Patten by a 51 percent to 49 percent margin. 20th District – Ohio House (Cuyahoga).

Ohio House race – District 63 - Incumbent: Rep. Richard Nero (R). Nero was appointed to this seat in June after Rep. John Widowfield resigned from the Ohio House. Democrat Mike Moran, a Hudson city councilman beat Nero, claiming 56 percent of the vote to Nero’s 44 percent. 63rd District – Ohio House (Summit).

Ohio House race – District 92 - Incumbent: Carol Ann Schindel (R). Schindel, a Republican, faced Democrat Mark Schneider, a Cuyahoga County assistant prosecutor. Schneider won over Schindel by a 54 percent to 46 percent margin. 92nd District – Ohio House (Lake).

Ohio Senate race – District 24: Rep. Thomas Patton, won in Senate District 24, a district which includes the outer edges of Cuyahoga County to the west, south and east. Democrats supported Gary Kucinich, the brother of Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland), but he lost to Patton by a 31 percent to 69 percent margin. 24th District – Ohio Senate (Cuyahoga).

In the State House, the new Speaker is likely to be Armond Budish from Beachwood. Budish, who is a lawyer, has close ties to Lt. Governor Lee Fisher. Rep. Matt Dolan, who took the reigns of the GOP Caucus Campaign Committee this year, has decided not to run for minority leader. House Republicans have now given up a net 14 seats in the past two years. The election pointed to another political axiom, that political leadership can be very fleeting. Former Speaker Jon Husted, who was term limited, did win his race for an Ohio Senate seat.

In a post election comment, Ohio Senate President Bill Harris forcefully predicted there would be no tax increases next year, thereby setting the stage for a potential fight with Governor Strickland/House Democrats when the next biennium budget is considered in 2009. The AMCNO will continue to provide our members with legislative and political updates.