U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Avon) arrived at the polls at 9:15 a.m., wearing a denim collared shirt to emphasize his Middle Class message, and accompanied by his two daughters and wife, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist
Connie Schultz.
"Hey, it's in the bag," said an elderly supporter.
"It's not in the bag until it's over," Brown replied.
Despite his attempts to project cautiousness, Brown was clearly confident in his advantage over incumbent Senator Mike DeWine (R-Ohio). The latest polls give Brown a six point lead among registered voters. Brown looked well-rested and said he had gotten five hours of sleep the previous night.
When he mentioned that he would be writing his victory speech later that afternoon, one of the reporters asked if he would also be writing a concession speech, to which Brown replied, "No." Asked for his prediction on the national picture, Brown said, "I think the Dems retake the House. I think the Senate goes down to tomorrow."
As he wrapped up the media event, Brown was surprised when a man asked him to kiss his baby. "I've never actually kissed somebody else's baby," Brown said, smiling. To which John Ryan, head of the local AFL-CIO quipped, "For your fourth term, he can vote for you."
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Ted Strickland, was denied the free publicity of an Election Day vote, however, because a supporter of his opponent, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell,
challenged his residency. Although the charge was later dismissed, Strickland voted absentee in October.
-- Kevin Hoffman
