Governor candidates make last-minute push for primary votes

Candidates for governor in the GOP and Democratic primaries are making the final push, holding get-out-the-vote rallies, campaigning with allies, and crisscrossing the state.

Ohio Republican Party-endorsed Mike DeWine and his running mate Jon Husted are continuing their “Rock Solid Conservative” tour with stops at a beer distributor in West Chester and Young’s Jersey Dairy just outside Yellow Springs on Monday.

ExploreVOTERS GUIDE: Compare the Republican governor candidates on the issues

DeWine’s opponent, Mary Taylor, campaigned in northeast Ohio and planned to host a tele-town hall meeting Monday night.

In the Democratic primary, Richard Cordray is holding a rally at the UFCW Local 1059 union hall in Columbus on Monday night.

ExploreVOTERS GUIDE: Compare the Democratic governor candidates on the issues

Cordray’s chief rival, former Congressman Dennis Kucinich, brought in some star power for his final push, campaigning with actor Danny Glover and former state senator Nina Turner, who is now president of Our Revolution.

Underdog candidate Joe Schiavoni isn’t giving up: he had three campaign stops scheduled in Fremont, Avon Lake and Rocky River on Monday.

With Republican incumbent John Kasich barred from running again due to term limits, Ohio governor is an open seat in 2018. That sparked millions of dollars in campaign ads and feisty contests in both primaries.

Early in the race DeWine was viewed as having an easy path to victory, but both sides say the race has tightened. A source familiar with DeWine’s internal polling told NBC News it is nearly a 20-point race.

The top vote getters in each primary will face off against one another and Green Party candidate Constance Gadell-Newton, who is a Columbus area attorney.

Republicans have controlled the Ohio governor’s office for 24 of the past 28 years and the GOP currently controls the Ohio House and Senate, all seven seats on the state Supreme Court, all six statewide executive offices and 12 of 16 seats in Congress. The only Democrat holding statewide elected office in Ohio is Sherrod Brown, who is seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate this year.

GOVERNOR CANDIDATES ON AIR

Tune in to Miami Valley’s Morning News today on AM1290 and News 95.7 WHIO for special election reports and live interviews with Ohio’s governor candidates. We had Lt. Gov. Mary Tayor and State Sen. Joe Schiavoni on Monday morning. Here’s when you can hear candidates live today: Mike DeWine at 6:45 a.m., Bill O’Neill at 7:15 a.m., Richard Cordray at 7:45 a.m. and Dennis Kucinich at 8:15 a.m.

LIVE RESULTS

Get election results Tuesday night, starting at 7:30 p.m. at DaytonDailyNews.com

INTERACT WITH US ON ELECTION DAY

Get election night updates on our @Ohio_Politics Twitter page and our Ohio Politics Facebook page

LIVE ELECTION RADIO SPECIAL

Join Ron Otto for a live Election Night radio special Tuesday starting at 7 p.m. on AM1290 and News 95.7 WHIO

JIM OTTE IN COLUMBUS

Newscenter 7’s Jim Otte will be in Columbus on Election Night to bring you the latest on the governor’s race. You can follow him on Twitter at

Explore@JOtteWHIO

and watch his special reports Tuesday night at 11.

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About the Author

Laura A. Bischoff

Laura Bischoff is our Columbus bureau reporter and covers politics and state government. She keeps a close eye on elected leaders, public employees and taxpayer money. Bischoff tries to write stories that inform voters, hold leaders accountable and strengthen democracy.