Ohio Valley Politics

When your parties national congressional campaign committee spends 1/5 of it’s campaign fund trying to hold a “safe” district, I don’t think you really have much to brag about. But then again it seems like the whole “out of touch with reality” thing has been the ORP’s M.O. for some time now.

Ted, Ted, Ted. This looks like a whole Latta votes against the governor and his so-called popularity.

This is a humiliating defeat for Ted Strickland. He dumped his political capital on the Democrat candidate, and she lost by a greater margin than her 2006 race. It turns out the governor’s popularity is a mile wide and an inch deep. Strickland carried this district himself a year ago, but he clearly couldn’t deliver it for Robin Weirauch.

Democrats talked a big game on this one and even called it a bellwether for 2008. Looks like they might be eating those words right now. They gave this race everything they had, from the deep pockets of Big Labor to the star power of Barack Obama and John Edwards, and they failed miserably.

They’ll try to spin this as a victory because they supposedly forced us to spend resources we didn’t have. Actually, we planned on spending those extra resources because special elections are notoriously unpredictable and no seat is safe in a mid-December turnout effort.

This is an encouraging win that shows our party is strong and energized heading into an important presidential election year.

– Kevin DeWine, Deputy Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

Sorry Kevin, but I can’t resist asking this. How’s your cousin Mike doing? Is he keeping busy?

Now let’s look at what really happened. Robin Weirauch managed to launch a serious campaign in a district that has been in Republican hands for about 70 years. The Republican’s, on the other hand, fought out a very bitter and divisive primary battle. While we may not have won the race, we’ve shown that even the most conservative districts can become battlegrounds. For all their tough talk, I’m sure there were more than a few sighs of relief among Ohio Republicans tonight.

Several more statements after the jump…

National Republicans, right wing special interest groups, and 527’s, like Freedom’s Watch, are alive and well in Republican House races. They poured more than $500,000 in to save Bob Latta in a 39% Democratic performing district.

Tom Cole and the NRCC spending 20 percent of their cash on hand to retain one of the most Republican districts in the country — priceless.

– Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Chairmen, DNCC

Tonight’s election results show Republicans are more vulnerable than ever in Ohio. In a district that George W. Bush carried with 61% of the vote and where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by 50 percent, the GOP had to scramble to win a special election that should have been a cake walk. Desperate to hold on to a district they had controlled for nearly 70 years, national Republicans had to spend more than $428,000 - or nearly 20% of their entire campaign account. Now the GOP - with even fewer resources on hand - will be even less equipped to play effectively in the 4-5 competitive House races in Ohio in 2008. Make no make mistake, this election shows that in November 2008, voters in Ohio and across the country will choose strong Democrats who will undo the damage of the Bush-Cheney years.

– Chris Redfern, Chairman, Ohio Democratic Party

I would like to congratulate Congressman-elect Bob Latta on his victory in the special election in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District. This campaign became a cause célèbre for national Democrats and liberal activists nationwide, but in the end, Bob’s anti-illegal immigration, anti-tax hike message won the day.

The people of Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District elected a representative in Bob Latta who will stand up for their values in Washington. Bob’s proven dedication to his constituents will enable him to be a very effective representative, as he fills the shoes of the late Congressman Paul Gillmor in the same seat that Bob’s father once held. I look forward to serving with Bob Latta in the House of Representatives.

– Tom Cole, Chairman, NRCC

Bob Latta won this race despite all the firepower state and national Democrats could provide. He held back the 20-to-one fundraising advantage of majority Democrats, the vast resources of Big Labor and the personal appeals of Barack Obama, John Edwards and Nancy Pelosi.

The outcome is a clear rejection of a popular governor who spent enormous political capital on this race, and it’s a sign that voters are tired of the worn-out rhetoric from a party that has nothing more to offer than a sad fixation on yesterday’s news.

– Bob Bennet, Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

I am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received from across the 5th Congressional District. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work on the important issues facing the constituents of this district. I hope to continue representing this district in the same honor and integrity of Paul Gillmor and my father before him, Del Latta.

The trust that the people have placed in me will always be the guiding light to accomplish great things for the 5th Congressional District of Ohio.

We need to get down to the business of putting aside petty partisan politics and start addressing the issues of importance. First, we have to create jobs by returning to a path of fiscal responsibility and lower taxes. We also need to stand up for the traditional values we hold dear. Also, the issues of illegal immigration and becoming energy independent within the next ten years will be two of my top priorities. It is critically important that we need to support our troops in their mission of defending our nation against terrorists that wish to do us harm.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my family. My wife Marcia has been a rock. She has been a loving mother, a supportive spouse, and a top campaign advocate. My daughters, Elizabeth and Maria have endured their father being on the road every night for three months. I also want to take this opportunity to thank my parents, Del and Rose Mary Latta for instilling in me a passion to serve the public, and the values to guide my life.

I look forward to getting to work immediately to be an advocate for the people of the 5th District. I commend Robin Weirauch for a spirited campaign, and I look forward to working with all constituents, regardless of party, to accomplish great things for our district, our state, and our country.

– Bob Latta