The 2010 Ohio gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ted Strickland ran for re-election to a second term as governor and was opposed by former U.S. Representative John Kasich; both Strickland and Kasich won their respective primaries uncontested. The race between the two major candidates was prolonged and brutal, with both candidates employing various campaign surrogates to bolster their campaigns. Ultimately, Kasich narrowly defeated Strickland in one of Ohio's closest gubernatorial elections in history.
Strickland's defeat was widely attributed to the decline of Ohio's economy, as well as the loss of 400,000 jobs since the beginning of his term. The policies of the then-president Barack Obama proved to be a hot topic among voters, with Strickland voicing his support for the healthcare overhauls initiated by Obama's administration, contrary to Kasich, who opposed the policies. As of 2023, this is the last time an incumbent governor of Ohio lost re-election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Ted Strickland, incumbent Governor of Ohio
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
John Kasich, former U.S. Representative, Chairman of the House Budget Committee and candidate for president in 2000
Results
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Ken Matesz
Results
Green primary
Candidates
Dennis Spisak, former congressional candidate
Results
General election
Predictions
Polling
Results
When the polls closed on election night, the race was very close, with Strickland and Kasich neck and neck. As the night wore on, Kasich's lead began to pick up strength, however once Cuyahoga County came in, Kasich's lead began to erode. In the end Kasich still won, but it was one of the closest gubernatorial elections in Ohio history. Strickland conceded at around 2 A.M. EST.
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Sandusky (Largest city: Fremont) Seneca (Largest city: Tiffin) Huron (Largest city: Norwalk) Lake (Largest city: Mentor) Portage (largest city: Kent) Stark (largest city: Canton) Columbiana (Largest city: Salem) Carroll (Largest city: Carrollton) Tuscarawas (largest city: New Philadelphia) Guernsey (Largest city: Cambridge) Clark (largest municipality: Springfield) Gallia (Largest city: Gallipolis) Adams (Largest city: West Union) Ashland (Largest city: Ashland) Allen (Largest city: Lima) Champaign (Largest city: Urbana) Brown (Largest city: Georgetown) Clinton (Largest city: Wilmington) Coshocton (Largest city: Coshocton) Crawford (Largest city: Bucyrus) Delaware (Largest city: Delaware) Defiance (Largest city: Defiance) Fairfield (Largest city: Lancaster) Fayette (Largest city: Washington Court House) Fulton (Largest city: Wauseon) Geauga (Largest city: Chardon) Highland (Largest city: Hillsboro) Hardin (Largest city: Kenton) Holmes (Largest city: Millersburg) Henry (Largest city: Napoleon) Knox (Largest city: Mount Vernon) Licking (Largest city: Newark) Madison (Largest city: London) Marion (Largest city: Marion) Medina (Largest city: Medina) Morgan (Largest city: McConnelsville) Morrow (Largest city: Mount Gilead) Muskingum (Largest city: Zanesville) Perry (Largest city: New Lexington) Pickaway (Largest city: Circleville) Preble (Largest city: Eaton) Richland (Largest city: Mansfield) Wayne (Largest city: Wooster) Williams (Largest city: Bryan) Wyandot (Largest city: Upper Sandusky)
References
External links
Elections & Ballot Issues at the Ohio Secretary of State
Candidates for Ohio State Offices at Project Vote Smart
Campaign contributions for 2010 Ohio Governor from Follow the Money
2010 Ohio Gubernatorial General Election: John Kasich (R) vs Ted Strickland (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Election 2010: Ohio Governor from Rasmussen Reports 2010 Ohio Governor – Kasich vs. Strickland from Real Clear Politics 2010 Ohio Governor's Race from CQ Politics Race Profile in The New York Times Debates Ohio Gubernatorial Debate, C-SPAN, September 14, 2010 Official campaign websites (Archived) John Kasich for Governor Ken Matesz for Governor Dennis Spisak for Governor Ted Strickland for Governor incumbent