Democrats begin statewide bus tour

Outside the COLUMBUS —

Ohio Statehouse, the statewide Democratic ticket led by gubernatorial candidates Richard Cordray kicked off a bus tour on Tuesday to rally voters.

“With 35 days to go, we’re going to be all over the state, 88 counties, we run everywhere,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper. “They are in position to win for the first time in a generation. The difference will be the turnout.”

With little exception, the Ohio Republicans have held a firm grip on state government: 66 of 99 Ohio House seats, 24 of 33 state senate seats, 12 of 16 seats in Congress, all seven supreme court slots and all five of the statewide executive offices.

Ohio GOP spokesman Blaine Kelly said the Republi- can ticket, led by gubernato- rial candidate Mike DeWine, will hold a bus tour some- time later this month.

“We are confident that Ohioans will reject the Democrat’s obstructionist agenda once again, and keep the Buckeye State on the right path,” Kelly said.

DeWine and Cordray just completed the second of three televised debates. The final debate is Monday in Cleveland, the day before voter registration ends and two days before early voting begins.

Cordray acknowledged that the tenor of the debates has been feisty, which he said demonstrates how much he cares about the issues.

“There is a big fork in the road this year for the future of the state,” he said. Contact this reporter at 614224-1624 or email Laura. Bischoff@coxinc.com.