2004 United States Senate election in Ohio
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2004 United States Senate election in Ohio
| country = Ohio
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1998 United States Senate election in Ohio
| previous_year = 1998
| next_election = 2010 United States Senate election in Ohio
| next_year = 2010
| election_date = November 2, 2004
| image1 = George Voinovich, official photo portrait, 2006 (1).jpg
| nominee1 = George Voinovich
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 3,464,651
| percentage1 = 63.85%
| image2 = Eric Fingerhut 103nd Congress 1993 (1).jpg
| nominee2 = Eric Fingerhut
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 1,961,249
| percentage2 = 36.14%
| map_image = {{switcher
|County results
|Congressional district results
|default=1
}}
| map_size = 210px
| map_caption = Voinovich: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
Fingerhut: {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
| title = U.S. Senator
| before_election = George Voinovich
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = George Voinovich
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{ElectionsOH}}
The 2004 United States Senate election in Ohio took place on November 2, 2004. It was concurrent with elections to the United States House of Representatives and the presidential election. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator George Voinovich won re-election to a second term with the highest raw vote total in Ohio history. This remains the last Ohio statewide election to date in which a candidate won every county in the state. This was the first election since 1950 that an incumbent Republican Senator from Ohio was re-elected or won re-election for this seat.
Republican primary
= Candidates =
- George Voinovich, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1999
- John Mitchel
George Voinovich faced only token opposition from John Mitchel, a former Air Force lieutenant colonel, a former Reform Party candidate for governor in 1998, an Independent candidate for U.S. House in 2000 and as a Republican in 2002, both times against congressman David Hobson.{{Cite book |last=Drew |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TVBRAAAAIBAJ&dq=voinovich+john+mitchel&pg=PA10&article_id=6478,3473876 |title=Underdogs challenge 2 veteran candidates |publisher=Toledo Blade |date=2004-02-29 |pages=B2 |language=en}}
= Results =
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary[http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/elections/Research/electResultsMain/2004ElectionsResults/04-0302RepUSSenate.aspx Ohio Secretary of State, 2004 United States Senate Republican primary election results]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = George Voinovich (Incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 640,082
| percentage = 76.61%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Mitchel
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 195,476
| percentage = 23.39%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 835,558
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Democratic primary
= Candidates =
- Eric Fingerhut, State Senator and former U.S. Representative from Ohio's 19th congressional district
- Norbert Dennerll, former Cleveland City Councilman
= Declined =
- Jerry Springer, host of The Jerry Springer Show and former Mayor of Cincinnati{{Cite web |last=CBS News/AP |date=2003-07-14 |title=Jerry Springer Nixes Senate Run - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jerry-springer-nixes-senate-run/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123094538/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jerry-springer-nixes-senate-run/ |archive-date=2015-11-23 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}
The early story of the campaign surrounded speculation of whether Jerry Springer would enter the race.{{Cite web |last=AP |date=2003-07-11 |title=Jerry Springer Eyes U.S. Senate - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jerry-springer-eyes-us-senate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823201436/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jerry-springer-eyes-us-senate/ |archive-date=2023-08-23 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} Springer, a former mayor of Cincinnati, had previously considered a challenge to the state's other Senator Mike DeWine in 2000, but ultimately passed on it.{{Cite news |last=Associated Press |date=1999-08-14 |title=National News Briefs; Springer Won't Seek Senate Seat in Ohio (Published 1999) |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/14/us/national-news-briefs-springer-won-t-seek-senate-seat-in-ohio.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912100859/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/14/us/national-news-briefs-springer-won-t-seek-senate-seat-in-ohio.html |archive-date=2017-09-12}} Among the steps Springer took, included filing papers to run{{Cite web |last=Susman |first=Gary |date=2003-07-11 |title=Jerry Springer will file papers for Senate run |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/07/11/jerry-springer-will-file-papers-senate-run/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412015837/https://ew.com/article/2003/07/11/jerry-springer-will-file-papers-senate-run/ |archive-date=2021-04-12 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=EW.com |language=en}} traveling across the state to meet voters,{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=John |date=2003-08-01 |title=Springer could not separate from show |url=https://www.cleveland19.com/story/1384574/springer-could-not-separate-from-show |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823203037/https://www.cleveland19.com/story/1384574/springer-could-not-separate-from-show/ |archive-date=2023-08-23 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Cleveland 19 |language=en}} and airing a nationwide 30 minute infomercial for the purpose of fundraising.{{Cite book |last=Associated Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5_ohAAAAIBAJ&dq=JERRY+SPRINGER+SENATE&pg=PA6&article_id=4460,6498123 |title=Jerry Springer takes steps for Senate Race |publisher=Reading Eagle |date=2003-07-15 |pages=A10 |language=en}} The infomercial would not be seen in Ohio due to equal time laws. Ultimately, Springer declined a return to public office, citing his inability to distance himself from his infamous talk show's reputation.{{Cite web |last=Whittington |first=Lauren W. |date=2003-08-08 |title=The Other Candidate |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2003/08/08/the-other-candidate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120142600/https://rollcall.com/2003/08/08/the-other-candidate/ |archive-date=2021-01-20 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Roll Call |language=en}} He also cited his show's contract as playing a role.{{Cite book |last=Drew |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QGJPAAAAIBAJ&dq=jerry+springer+ohio+senate+1999&pg=PA3&article_id=6617,1656375 |title=Springer won't seek U.S. Senate nomination |publisher=Toledo Blade |date=2003-08-07 |pages=4A |language=en}} In all, Springer spent a little over $1 million of his own money on his exploratory campaign.{{Cite web |last=Whittington |first=Lauren W. |date=2003-10-17 |title=Springer Spent $1.1M Not to Run |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2003/10/17/springer-spent-1-1m-not-to-run/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807162826/https://rollcall.com/2003/10/17/springer-spent-1-1m-not-to-run/ |archive-date=2020-08-07 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Roll Call |language=en}}
Had he run, Springer would have faced obstacles, as polling showed that as much as 71% of voters polled held an unfavorable view of him.{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=John |date=2003-05-11 |title=Can Jerry Springer get your vote? |url=https://www.morningjournal.com/2003/05/11/can-jerry-springer-get-your-vote/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823203710/https://www.morningjournal.com/2003/05/11/can-jerry-springer-get-your-vote/amp/ |archive-date=2023-08-23 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Morning Journal |language=en-US}} That same poll also showed that in a prospective contest, Voinovich lead with 77% of the vote to Springer's 16%.{{Cite book |last=Skolnick |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fnhcAAAAIBAJ&dq=fingerhut+voinovich&pg=PA5&article_id=2581,4758408 |title=In poll, Voinovich tops Fingerhut and TV's Springer. |publisher=The Vindicator |date=2003-03-11 |pages=B3 |language=en}} After his brief exploration, Springer hinted that in 2006, he would be interested in the open governorship and declined to rule out a Senate bid that year.{{Cite news |last=Noah |first=Timothy |date=2004-07-29 |title=Rehabilitation Watch |language=en-US |work=Slate |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2004/07/jerry-springer-rehabilitation-watch.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823210746/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2004/07/jerry-springer-rehabilitation-watch.html |archive-date=2023-08-23 |issn=1091-2339}} Ultimately, he would pursue neither bid.
After Springer declined to enter, Fingerhut was seen as the favorite to win the nomination. He only faced token opposition from Norbert Dennerll, a former City Councilman who served in the late 50's and early 60's.
= Results =
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary[http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/elections/Research/electResultsMain/2004ElectionsResults/04-0302DemUSSenate.aspx Ohio Secretary of State, 2004 United States Senate Democratic primary election results]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Eric Fingerhut
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 672,989
| percentage = 70.79%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Norbert Dennerll
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 277,721
| percentage = 29.21%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 950,710
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}
General election
= Candidates =
- George Voinovich (R), incumbent U.S. Senator and former Governor
- Eric Fingerhut (D), State Senator and former U.S. Representative from Ohio's 19th congressional district
- Helen Meyers (write-in)
= Campaign =
A popular U.S. Senator, Voinovich was the heavy favorite to win the election virtually from the start. He had over $9 million in the bank, while his opponent barely had $1.5 million.{{cite web|title=Archives. Product site|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&s_site=ohio&p_multi=AK&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=105F8769674F4B04&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|publisher=Newsbank|access-date=2010-05-12|archive-date=2011-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609041147/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&s_site=ohio&p_multi=AK&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=105F8769674F4B04&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=dead}} Fingerhut tried to draw attention to his candidacy by walking over 300 miles across the state and meeting with voters.{{Cite web |last=Cleveland 19 |date=2004-08-30 |title=Candidate for U.S. Senate to walk 310 miles in Ohioans shoes |url=https://www.cleveland19.com/story/2233687/candidate-for-us-senate-to-walk-310-miles-in-ohioans-shoes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823214607/https://www.cleveland19.com/story/2233687/candidate-for-us-senate-to-walk-310-miles-in-ohioans-shoes/ |archive-date=2023-08-23 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Cleveland 19 |language=en}} However, he still faced long odds, with many Democratic officials ignoring his campaign and voters not believing in his chances.{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |date=2004-04-02 |title=Several Mahoning Valley Democratic officials are simply avoiding their party's nominee for the U.S. Senate |url=http://vindyarchives.com/news/2004/apr/02/several-mahoning-valley-democratic-officials-are/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823220136/https://vindyarchives.com/news/2004/apr/02/several-mahoning-valley-democratic-officials-are/ |archive-date=2023-08-23 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=The Vindicator Archives}}{{Cite book |last=Skolnick |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f2RIAAAAIBAJ&dq=fingerhut+voinovich&pg=PA20&article_id=1348,8185956 |title=Fingerhut sets sights on Voinovich's seat |publisher=The Vindicator |date=2003-10-29 |pages=B4 |language=en}}
Voinovich's biggest advantage was getting support from the most Democratic-leaning county in the state, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Kerry carried it with almost 67% of the vote, by far his best performance in the state in 2004. It is the home of Cleveland and it is also most populous county in the state. Voinovich was a former mayor of Cleveland. In addition, he catered to Cleveland's large Jewish population by visiting Israel six times as a first-term U.S. Senator. He also consistently voted for aid to Israel through foreign appropriations bills. He's supported resolutions reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense and condemned Palestinian terrorist attacks.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121104024352/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-109160310.html HighBeam] In addition, Fingerhut's home base was in the Cleveland area, and therefore he had to cut in through the incumbent's home base in order to even make the election close.
In a September University of Cincinnati poll, the incumbent lead 64% to 34%.{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DDNB&p_theme=ddnb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=105794F4CD09DFA5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|publisher=Newsbank|title=Archives. DDNB Theme|access-date=2010-05-12|archive-date=2011-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609041157/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DDNB&p_theme=ddnb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=105794F4CD09DFA5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=dead}} In an October ABC News poll, Voinovich was winning 60% to 35%. He led across almost all demographic groups Only among Democrats, non-whites, liberals, and those who pick health care as #1 issue favor Fingerhut. The election coincided with the presidential election, where Ohio was a swing state. 27% of Voinovich's supporters preferred U.S. Senator John Kerry for president.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=178949|title = Poll: Advantage Kerry in Ohio Race|website = ABC News}}
= Predictions =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
| Source
! Ranking ! As of |
|---|
| align=left | Sabato's Crystal Ball{{cite web | title=The Final Predictions | url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2004110101/ | website=Sabato's Crystal Ball | access-date=May 2, 2021}}
| {{USRaceRating|Safe|R}} | November 1, 2004 |
=Polling=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" |
| valign=bottom
! Poll source ! Date(s) ! Sample ! Margin ! style="width:100px;"| George ! style="width:100px;"| Eric ! Other / |
| SurveyUSA[https://www.surveyusa.com/2004Elec.html SurveyUSA]
| align=center| October 29–31, 2004 | align=center| 813 (LV) | align=center| ± 3.5% | {{party shading/Republican}} align=center| 61% | align=center| 33% | align=center| 5% |
= Results =
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2004 United States Senate election, Ohio[http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/elections/Research/electResultsMain/2004ElectionsResults/04-1102USSenator.aspx Ohio Secretary of State, 2004 United States Senate general election results]}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = George Voinovich (Incumbent)
| votes = 3,464,651
| percentage = 63.85%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Eric Fingerhut
| votes = 1,961,249
| percentage = 36.14%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independent (United States)
| candidate = Helen Meyers
| votes = 296
| percentage = 0.01%
}}
{{Election box turnout no change
| votes = 5,426,196
| percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
== Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican ==
- Monroe (Largest city: Woodsfield)
- Cuyahoga (Largest city: Cleveland)
- Mahoning (Largest city: Youngstown)
- Trumbull (Largest city: Warren)
- Summit (Largest city: Akron)
- Lorain (largest municipality: Lorain)
- Portage (largest city: Kent)
- Belmont (largest city: Martins Ferry)
- Jefferson (largest city: Steubenville)
- Harrison (Largest city: Cadiz)
- Perry (Largest city: New Lexington)
- Pike (Largest city: Waverly)
- Athens (Largest city: Athens)
=By congressional district=
Voinovich won 17 of 18 congressional districts, including 6 that have Democratic congressman and 5 that voted for John Kerry in the presidential race.{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/election-results-and-data/2000-elections-results/|title=2000 elections results|date=April 2022|publisher=Frank LaRose}}
| class=wikitable |
| District
! Voinovich ! Fingerhut ! Representative |
|---|
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|1|1st}} | 60% | 40% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Steve Chabot |
| align=center
! rowspan=2 {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|2|2nd}} | rowspan=2|72% | rowspan=2|28% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Rob Portman |
| align=center
| {{party shading/Republican}}|Jean Schmidt |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|3|3rd}} | 66% | 34% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Mike Turner |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|4|4th}} | 73% | 27% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Mike Oxley |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|5|5th}} | 72% | 28% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Paul Gillmor |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|6|6th}} | 62% | 38% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Ted Strickland |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|7|7th}} | 69% | 31% | {{party shading/Republican}}|David Hobson |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|8|8th}} | 73% | 27% | {{party shading/Republican}}|John Boehner |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|9|9th}} | 58% | 42% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Marcy Kaptur |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|10|10th}} | 61% | 39% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Dennis Kucinich |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Democratic}}|{{ushr|Ohio|11|11th}} | 39% | 61% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Stephanie Tubbs Jones |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|12|12th}} | 65% | 35% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Pat Tiberi |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|13|13th}} | 59% | 41% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Sherrod Brown |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|14|14th}} | 66% | 34% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Steven LaTourette |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|15|15th}} | 63% | 37% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Deborah Pryce |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|16|16th}} | 67% | 33% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Ralph Regula |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|17|17th}} | 51% | 49% | {{party shading/Democratic}}|Tim Ryan |
| align=center
! {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|Ohio|18|18th}} | 68% | 32% | {{party shading/Republican}}|Bob Ney |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://justfacts.votesmart.org/election/2004/C/OH/2004-congressional Candidates] at Vote Smart
- [https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/OH/2004/ Campaign finance] at FEC
- [https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2004&id=OHS2 Campaign finance] at OpenSecrets
Official campaign websites (archived)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20041101064438/http://www.voinovichforsenate.com/ George Voinovich]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20041101064525/http://www.fingerhutforsenate.com/site/pp.asp?c=gmKVLhPdE&b=2317 Eric Fingerhut]
Debates
- [https://www.c-span.org/video/?184065-1/ohio-senate-debate Ohio Senate General Election Debate] on C-SPAN, October 22, 2004
{{United States elections, 2004}}