ABSTRACT
Based on the 2006 election, one would never know that Ohio has long been considered a battleground state. Just two years after President Bush eked out a narrow victory-and reelection1-the Democrats made impressive gains, electing a governor, other state officials, and a U.S. senator. In addition, they picked up one congressional seat, held their open districts, and came within an eyelash of defeating several Republican incumbents. These victories gave the Democrats control of the state executive branch after sixteen years of Republican rule and helped them take control of the U.S. Congress for the first time in twelve years.
