Statement from Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett issued the following statement tonight regarding the 2007 municipal elections:

“Republicans took some key races tonight, holding off well-funded Democratic opposition and claiming several targeted mayoral seats.  We picked off targeted mayoral races in Newark, Coshocton and Tiffin, defended key incumbencies in Findlay and Dover, while Democrats ceded the Marysville and Kirtland mayor’s races by failing to field candidates in seats they previously held.  Republicans also picked up a seat on the Toledo City Council in a heavily Democratic ward and swept the Findlay City Council. 

Republican judicial candidates ran strong statewide, especially in Columbus where Gov. Ted Strickland’s first judicial appointee was knocked off the bench. 

Democrats won in Democratic cities.  We were fortunate to hold Canton for four years, but Democrats out-number Republicans there by a two to one margin.  Republicans continue to run strong in suburban, exurban and rural areas where our voters have moved out of the inner cities to avoid the festering school and safety problems being largely ignored by Democratic mayors.

Democrats now hold all of Ohio’s major urban cities, and they have the obligation and opportunity to address the the growing concerns over crime, education and decaying infrastructure.  Republicans in the legislature should work with them to address these issues.”