Republicans continue hold on Ohio offices
11/5/2002COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Republicans kept their grip on Ohio's top non-judicial offices in Tuesday's elections, winning four positions and leading in the fifth.
Republicans have controlled the jobs of governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state and treasurer since 1994.
Besides governor, the most watched and closest race was between incumbent Treasurer Joe Deters and Democrat Mary Boyle, a former Cuyahoga County commissioner. Early returns showed the race too close to call.
With 63 percent of precincts reporting, Deters had 55 percent to 45 percent for Boyle.
Gov. Bob Taft easily won re-election, defeating Democrat Tim Hagan, also a former Cuyahoga County commissioner, 59 percent to 37 percent.
Incumbent Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell beat state Rep. Bryan Flannery of Lakewood 60 percent to 40 percent.
Attorney General Betty Montgomery and Auditor Jim Petro, blocked from running for re-election because of term limits, traded jobs. Montgomery beat Cleveland City Councilwoman Helen Smith 65 percent to 35 percent and Petro defeated state Sen. Leigh Herington of Ravenna 65 percent to 35 percent.