Ted Strickland
Ted Strickland (born August 4, 1941) is a Democratic politician and the former Governor of Ohio.
Before his election as governor in 2006, Strickland served six terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio’s 6th District.
In September 2013, President Barack Obama (D) appointed Strickland to be one of five alternate representatives to the U.S. delegation to the United Nations.[1]
Strickland ran for re-election as Governor of Ohio in the 2010 election. He lost to Republican John Kasich.
In 2016, Strickland ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Ohio.[2][3]
Biography
Strickland was born in Ohio. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from Asbury College and his master’s degree in theological studies from Asbury Theological Seminary. Strickland also earned a master’s degree in guidance counseling and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Kentucky.[4]
Political career
Governor of Ohio (2007-2011)
Strickland was elected as the 68th Governor of Ohio in November 2006 and was sworn into office on January 8, 2007.
U.S. House (1992-1995, 1996-2007)
Strickland served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Ohio's 6th Congressional District. He was first elected in 1992. In 1994, Strickland lost re-election to Republican Frank Cremeans. In 1996, Strickland won election again to the seat. Strickland was re-elected three more times and ran unopposed in 2004.
Strickland served on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Elections
2016
In one of Ballotpedia’s races to watch, incumbent Sen. Rob Portman (R) won re-election, defeating former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D), Joseph DeMare (G), Thomas William Connors (I), and Scott Rupert (I) in the general election on November 8, 2016.
In his victory speech, Portman said, “Americans don’t want to just rewind the tape and live through four more years of the same tired and self-defeating routine. They expect better...we are capable of better. There will never be a better moment than now to stop the dysfunction in Washington and find that common ground.”[5]
In its analysis of the election results, Cleveland.com said Portman "ran one of the best campaigns in the country this year, both in strategy and execution." The analysis said Portman was especially effective in his interactions with the Donald Trump presidential campaign. The article also said Strickland had faced challenges raising funds, saying, "he wasn't used to having to raise so much cash."[6]
The Wall Street Journal predicted that Portman’s get out the vote effort in Ohio would provide “reverse political coattails, with big stakes for Mr. Trump. Ohio has backed the presidential winners in the past 13 elections, and no Republican in modern history has won the White House without capturing Ohio.” Portman did indeed help Trump secure victory in Ohio. Portman won 58.3 percent of the vote, while Trump won 52.1 percent, a 6.2 percent difference.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Rob Portman Incumbent |
58% | 3,118,567 | |
| Democratic | Ted Strickland | 37.2% | 1,996,908 | |
| Independent | Thomas William Connors | 1.7% | 93,041 | |
| Green | Joseph DeMare | 1.6% | 88,246 | |
| Independent | Scott Rupert | 1.4% | 77,291 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0% | 111 | |
| Total Votes | 5,374,164 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State | ||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rob Portman Incumbent |
82.2% | 1,336,686 | ||
| Don Elijah Eckhart | 17.8% | 290,268 | ||
| Total Votes | 1,626,954 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State |
||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ted Strickland |
65% | 742,676 | ||
| P.G. Sittenfeld | 22.3% | 254,232 | ||
| Kelli Prather | 12.7% | 144,945 | ||
| Total Votes | 1,141,853 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State |
||||
In a December 2014 interview with the Northeast Ohio Media Group, Strickland discussed a potential run for U.S. Senate against Sen. Rob Portman (R) in 2016. When asked whether or not he was considering a run, Strickland responded, "I am. Have I made any kind of decision as to whether or not I will do that? I have not. I'm talking to some folks and friends and all that, but that's where I'm at."[8]
In late January, The Youngstown Vindicator reported that Strickland had decided to enter the race.[9][10] Meredith Tucker, the state Democratic Party's communications director, responded to the reports, saying, "Gov. Strickland has publicly said he's considering running, and that process is still ongoing."[11]
Strickland officially announced his candidacy on February 25, 2015. He stated, "I’m running for the United States Senate in 2016 because I am determined to restore the American Dream for working people in this country."[2]
Endorsements
- Bill Clinton - "Ted Strickland offers a unique blend of qualities we need more of in Washington today: a proven record of service to hard working Ohioans, energy, determination and idealism. He knows how to reach across the aisle to find common ground and when Ohioans need him to stand his ground. No one will care more, know more, and work harder for better opportunities for every Ohioan than Ted. I’m proud to support him."[12]
2010
- See also: Ohio gubernatorial election, 2010
On January 20, 2010, Governor Strickland officially announced his re-election bid in Ohio's 2010 gubernatorial election, although his intentions were already widely assumed after Republican John Kasich's June entry in the race.[13]
Strickland lost his bid for re-election in 2010 to Republican John Kasich.
| Governor/Lt. Governor of Ohio, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | John Kasich/Mary Taylor |
49% | 1,889,186 | |
| Democratic | Ted Strickland/Yvette McGee Brown Incumbent | 47% | 1,812,059 | |
| Libertarian | Ken Matesz/Margaret Ann Leech | 2.4% | 92,116 | |
| Green | Dennis Spisak/Anita Rios | 1.5% | 58,475 | |
| Write-In | David Sargent | 0% | 633 | |
| Total Votes | 3,852,469 | |||
| Election results via Ohio Secretary of State | ||||
2006
Strickland successfully ran for Governor of Ohio in 2006, when the then-governor, Robert A. Taft II, was term-limited and could not run for re-election. Strickland selected former Ohio Attorney General and 1998 Democratic nominee for governor Lee Fisher as his running mate. He was sworn in as governor on January 8, 2007.[14]
| Governor of Ohio, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Ted Strickland |
60.5% | 2,435,505 | |
| Republican | J. Kenneth Blackwell | 36.6% | 1,474,331 | |
| Non-Partisan | William S. Peirce | 1.8% | 71,437 | |
| Non-Partisan | Robert Fitrakis | 1% | 40,967 | |
| Write-In | James Lundeen | 0% | 579 | |
| Write-In | Larry Bays | 0% | 73 | |
| Total Votes | 4,022,892 | |||
| Election results via Ohio Secretary of State | ||||
Opposition
Strickland won the Democratic primary on May 2, 2006, with 80% of the vote. In the November general election, he was challenged by Republican Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, Libertarian economist Bill Peirce, and the Green Party's Bob Fitrakis. Strickland won election on November 7, 2006, with 60% of the vote. Blackwell finished in second with 37% of the vote.[15]
Major endorsements (general election)
- Associated General Contractors of Ohio
- Fraternal Order of Police[16]
- National Association of Police Organizations
- Cleveland Stonewall Democrats
- Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association
- Ohio Trooper Coalition
- Ohio Education Association
- Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters
- Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
- National Rifle Association
- The Akron Beacon Journal
- The Columbus Dispatch
- The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
- Dayton Daily News
- The Toledo Blade
- The Canton Repository
- Cincinnati Mayor Mark L. Mallory
- Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson
- Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman
- Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin
- Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner
- Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams
A full listing of endorsements can be found on Strickland's campaign website.[17]
Republican support
Strickland's candidacy received some support from Republicans, indicated by many of the pollsters covering the race. Additionally, a number of high-profile Republicans publicly announced their support for Strickland at a press conference on September 12, and Strickland's website launched "Republicans For Strickland," which listed over 340 registered Republican endorsers.[18]
1994-2004
Strickland lost his bid for re-election to Congress in 1994 but was able to win back his seat in 1996. He was subsequently re-elected in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004.
1992
Strickland ran again to represent the 6th District in 1992, once again facing Bob McEwen. The new 6th District, which had been combined with the former 10th District when Ohio lost two seats in Congress following the 1990 census, now covered a huge area stretching from Lebanon in Warren County to Marietta in Washington County on the opposite side of the state. The district proved a difficult place to campaign, representing half a dozen different media markets and home to no large cities and few unifying influences.
Patrick J. Buchanan, Dan Quayle, and Oliver North came to Ohio to campaign for McEwen, but Strickland won in the general election on November 3, 1992. Strickland received 122,720 votes to McEwen's 119,252, a plurality of only 3,468. Strickland said, "I ran against Pat Robertson, Pat Buchanan, the National Rifle Association and Right-to-Life. They threw everything at me. I'm just so happy I beat back those guys. I think they're so divisive."
Strickland began serving in 1993 (103rd Congress).
1976-1980
Strickland ran for U.S. Representative for Ohio's 6th Congressional District in 1976, 1978, and 1980, losing twice to long-time incumbent William H. Harsha, and later to Harsha's successor and campaign manager, Bob McEwen.
Campaign contributions
2016
Source: This graphic was generated using data from the FEC.
2006
Strickland outspent his opponent in the 2006 general election contest by a nearly 5-1 margin.
| 2006 campaign for Governor of Ohio - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Raised | $16,829,572 | |||
| Total Raised by Gen. Election Opponent | $3,247,567 | |||
| Top 5 Contributors | Ohio Democratic Party $1,708,495 (10.15% of Total) | |||
| SEIU District 1199 $40,000 (0.24%) | ||||
| Ohio AFSCME $40,000 (0.24%) | ||||
| Local 3/SEIU $40,000 (0.24%) | ||||
| ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 38/IBEW $35,400 (0.21%) | ||||
| Individuals v. Institutions | $12,201,556 (72.5%) | |||
| $2,300,630 (13.7%) | ||||
| In v. Outside State | $14,037,801 (83.9%) | |||
| $688,273 (16.1%) | ||||
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Strickland is married to Frances Strickland, an educational psychologist and author of a widely used screening test for kindergarten-age children.
See also
- United States Senate
- United States Senate election in Ohio, 2016
- Ohio gubernatorial election, 2010
- Governor of Ohio
- John Kasich
- U.S. House
- Ohio's 6th Congressional District
External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Executive actions:
- Fact-checking:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Media appearances:
Footnotes
- ↑ WHIO, "Obama appoints former Ohio governor to UN post," September 10, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Columbus Dispatch, "Ted Strickland says swift GOP attacks in Senate race are a 'compliment'," February 25, 2015
- ↑ Jon Husted Ohio Secretary of State, "Secretary Husted Certifies Candidates, Official Form of 2016 Primary Election Ballot," December 31, 2015
- ↑ Center for American Progress, "Gov. Ted Strickland," accessed January 30, 2015
- ↑ The Columbus Dispatch, "Portman win in Ohio helps GOP keep control of U.S. Senate," accessed November 15, 2016
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Four reasons Rob Portman beat Ted Strickland in Ohio's U.S. Senate race," November 8, 2016
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Rob Portman May Provide Reverse Coattails for Donald Trump in Ohio," accessed October 17, 2016
- ↑ Cleveland, "Ted Strickland interview: Will he run for Senate, what's he think of Rob Portman, and how about Mike DeWine and that immigration lawsuit?" accessed December 11, 2014
- ↑ Youngstown Vindicator, "Sources: Strickland to run for U.S. Senate in 2016," January 30, 2015
- ↑ Youngstown Vindicator, "Sources: Ex-Gov. Strickland to run for US Senate," January 31, 2015
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Ted Strickland not yet decided on a U.S. Senate run," January 30, 2015
- ↑ Roll Call, "Bill Clinton Endorses Strickland in Ohio," March 31, 2015
- ↑ The Athens Messenger, "Strickland's running mate is OU graduate and trustee," January 20, 2010
- ↑ Bipartisan Policy Center, "Ted Strickland," accessed January 27, 2015
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "2006 Election Results," accessed January 27, 2015
- ↑ Vindy.com, "GOP gets nods from FOP but not for governorship," July 27, 2006
- ↑ Ted Strickland for Governor, "Endorsements," accessed January 27, 2015
- ↑ American Policy Roundtable," "'Republicans for Strickland' speak out," September 13, 2006
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert Taft II (R) |
Governor of Ohio 2007-2011 |
Succeeded by John Kasich (R) |
