toledoblade.com --

COLUMBUS - Democrats added crucial control of the Ohio House of Representatives to their arsenal as voters continued to marginalize once-dominant Republicans.

A possible net gain of as many as seven House seats could give Democrats a margin of control as wide as 53-46.

But once the dust settles in a couple of still undecided races, insiders expect it to be more like 51-48.

Republicans currently outnumber Democrats 53-46.

This marks the first time that the party has had control since the days of Speaker Vern Riffe 14 years ago. This hands Gov. Ted Strickland control of the lower chamber of the General Assembly at a time when he plans to push for education and health-care reforms and lawmakers will consider a new two-year state budget.

"I know our new Democratic House majority stands ready to work in a bipartisan manner to help create new jobs, improve access to health care, and help make our schools the best in the nation," Governor Strickland said. "They will serve as strong voices for their constituents in the House and will partner with me as we work to move Ohio forward."

Democrats control the governor's mansion and all other statewide executive offices except for auditor, and will soon add the House to the list. The party held onto the attorney general's office with the election of current state Treasurer Richard Cordray.

Republicans, however, found some solace in retaining their monopoly of the Ohio Supreme Court with the re-election of Justices Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and Maureen O'Connor. Republican control of the state Senate also remained unchanged at 21-12.

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern was looking ahead to 2011 when a state apportionment board presumably dominated by Democrats could redraw state legislative districts more to their advantage.

"For those who think the state Senate has been forgotten, it hasn't," he said. "During the apportionment process, we'll be able to draft districts that reflect Ohio. If districts were drawn at a 50-50 margin with Democrats and Republicans equally represented, we would have captured 21 seats in the state House last night, and we would have won no less than five seats in the state Senate."

Rep. Matt Dolan (R., Novelty), who had been expected to ascend to speaker of the House next year if Republicans had retained power, conceded control to Democrats. But he characterized Mr. Redfern's apportionment predictions as post-victory "hubris."

"Voter turnout was a factor, no question," he said.

"We did a phenomenal job given the number of first-time voters turning out for Democrats. There was one House seat decided by 12 votes, another decided by 170.

"If anybody studies these things, the pendulum swings back and forth," he said. "What happened yesterday will not be the political environment two years from now."

Democrats needed a net gain of four seats, and they definitely turned seven districts from Republican red to Democratic blue in the Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, and Cincinnati suburbs.

But these were offset by a pair of Democratic losses in Cleveland's western suburbs and the Norwalk area.

Democrats continued to closely monitor two other extremely close races in currently Republican districts in Athens and the Columbus suburbs that could add to their margin. The post-election count of provisional ballots could prove decisive.

Democrats received no help from the 46th District encompassing the western Lucas County suburbs, the only northwest Ohio district where they thought they had a chance. State Rep. Barbara Sears (R., Sylvania) fought back a challenge from Sylvania attorney Darlene Dunn.

The seven Republican seats definitely captured by Democrats are:

•The open 18th District in Cleveland's southern suburbs where Democratic community activist Matt Patten defeated Republican accountant Colleen Grady.

•The 20th District in suburban Columbus where Democrat Nancy Garland narrowly upset Rep. Jim McGregor (R., Gahanna).

•The open 22nd District in northern Franklin County where health-care attorney John Carney defeated Republican insurance agent Michael Keenan.

•The 28th District in the Cincinnati suburbs where Democratic attorney Connie Pillich defeated Republican insurance agent Virgil Lovitt.

•The 42nd District in Summit County where Rep. Richard Nero (R., Hudson) was turned out by small business owner Mike Moran.

•The 63rd District in Lake County where Rep. Carol Schindel (R., Leroy) was ousted by Cuyahoga County assistant prosecutor Mark Schneider.

•The 85th District encompassing Fayette County and portions of Pickaway and Ross south of Columbus. Rep. John Schlichter (R., Greenfield) was upset by Democrat Ray Pryor.

These gains were partly offset by two Democratic losses:

•The 16th District in Cleveland's western suburbs where Rep. Jennifer Brady (D., Westlake) fell to Republican small business owner Nan Baker.

•The 58th District straddling eastern Seneca, Huron, and southwestern Lorain counties that is currently held by retiring Rep. Thomas Heydinger (D., Norwalk). The Republican, Norwalk Township fiscal officer Terry Boose, defeated Amherst Councilman Terry Traster.

The two Republican-held districts still being watched were:

•The open 19th District in the Columbus suburbs where Democrat Marian Harris was locked in a dead heat with Republican Dr. Brad Lewis.

•The open Athens-based 92nd District where Democrat Debbie Phillips was narrowly leading Republican Jill Thompson.

Contact Jim Provance at:
jprovance@theblade.com
or 614-221-0496.

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