11/5/2008 6:11:00 AM
Local and State Issues
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BY KIRK DOUGAL
Times Bulletin Editor
kdougal@timesbulletin.com
Van Wert County turned out in nearly record numbers to vote on a large number of candidates and issues on Tuesday. With clear skies overhead, a total of 71.8% of registered voters went to the polls and, in some cases, stood in line for more than an hour to perform their civic duty and cast their ballot. Almost exactly 25% of Van Wert County voters, 5,128, skipped the crowds and the waiting by taking advantage of early voting.
In the biggest prize of the night, President-elect Barack Obama became the first African-American to win the presidency in an election that saw a rising tide of new voters carry him to victory. He may have won in landslide across the country, but he trailed Sen. John McCain by a healthy margin, 62.5% to 35% in Van Wert. Ralph Nader and Bob Barr also drew attention from local voters.
U.S. Representative Bob Latta easily returned to Congress to represent the 5th District with the help of a 40% margin in Van Wert while State Representative Lynn Wachtmann and all of the county candidates won their offices unopposed. Maureen O'Connor and Evelyn Stratton both won seats on the Ohio Supreme Court.
In a statewide issue with a local flavor, Van Wert resident Tracey Smith carried the county in an effort to become a member of the State Board of Education. The race had not been called at press time but despite her lead at home, she was trailing Ann Jacobs in the overall vote count with some precincts still left to report.
Van Wert County followed suit with the rest of the state with all five issues on the state-wide ballot. Issue #1dealt with earlier filing deadlines and passed easily. Issue #2 was a renewal of authorization for the State of Ohio to issue bonds for the Clean Ohio program, also passing with a healthy margin. Issue #3 arose from the Great Lakes Water Pact and was a protection for the water rights of landowners in Ohio. It was overwhelmingly enacted.
Issue #5 was the contentious Pay Day Loan referendum. In Van Wert County, it was affirmed by an 18% gap, virtually assuring that the Pay Day Loan industry will disappear from Ohio in its present form.
The casino for Clinton County, Issue #6, drew as much anger from inside Ohio and money from outside interests as any issue in recent memory. It failed in Van Wert County handily and around the state as well.
For a complete listing of all the election results please look at the graphic on page A6 in today's edition of the Times Bulletin. To watch interviews with key individuals involved with the local election, go to www.timesbulletin.com.
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