Ohio Senate: RNC Launching New Statewide Buy

By Stuart Rothenberg

Contrary to published reports that the Republican National Committee has decided to "write off" the Ohio Senate race, the RNC is about to begin a new, statewide TV buy in Ohio on behalf of the candidacy of Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH).

The buy, which costs in excess of $1 million, is scheduled to last for two weeks.

Polling continues to show the Ohio contest between DeWine and his Democratic challenger, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), to be close, though most state and national political observers believe that Brown has the advantage.

The Ohio political environment remains toxic for Republicans, and the party’s gubernatorial nominee, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, is likely to get trounced in November by Democrat Ted Strickland. The party’s prospects in a number of Buckeye State House races have also faded.

The GOP’s best chances for holding onto a Senate majority probably rest with Missouri Sen. Jim Talent, Virginia Sen. George Allen and Republican open seat hopeful Bob Corker in Tennessee. But the RNC is continuing to spend resources in Ohio.

This item first appeared on Political Wire on October 16, 2006.