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Senate Candidate Strickland Says There's No Bitterness In His Heart

Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland concedes
Jo Ingles
Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland concedes

As expected, U.S. Senator Rob Portman has been re-elected, defeating former Gov. Ted Strickland.

The Associated Press called the race almost immediately after the polls closed. And Democratic former Governor Ted Strickland conceded moments later. 

“I accept the results.  The people have spoken. There’s no bitterness in my heart at all. In fact, I’m very grateful for what I’ve been able to do.”

Strickland’s loss wasn’t a surprise. He’d come into the race with high name recognition and an early lead, but blamed the infusion of tens of millions of dollars in campaign ads, much of it from anonymous donations, for his loss. Strickland says he doesn’t know what comes next for him, but that he plans to continue to work on behalf of working Ohioans.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.