Toledo Free Press
Don’t squander Ohio’s role in the presidential election
Written by Brandi Barhite, Associate Editor 

Here’s a prediction: Ohio might not always be a presidential swing state. 

We might not always be the state to win. 

One day the Buckeye State might not be worth the gazillions spent on television ads, mailings, phone calls and every-other-day visits from the candidates. Our population is declining; we are down to 18 electoral votes and the next census could take away more. 

As populations shift to the Southwest and the Latino population becomes a more sought-after demographic, Ohio could lose some of its electoral prominence, according to Sam Nelson, a political science professor at the University of Toledo. 

But for at least one more presidential election, maybe two, Ohio matters. 

We matter a lot. And we should enjoy it. 

“Every vote does count. That is for sure,” said U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. “I know people are tired of seeing TV ads. I am, too, but we do have a great opportunity.” 

It is a proud fact that Ohio has accurately picked the president for the past 12 elections; the last candidate to lose Ohio and still become president was John F. Kennedy in 1960. Also, no Republican has ever won without carrying the state. Current polls show President Barack Obama, a Democrat, with a slight edge on Republican Mitt Romney. 

Before I spoke to Portman on Oct. 31, he had been campaigning in Ohio with Romney. After I spoke to him, he had plans to keep campaigning for the former Massachusetts governor. 

Portman said Ohio is a classic swing state with no clear majority. Adding to Ohio’s complexity is that voters are willing to change their minds, making the state’s 18 electoral votes anyone’s to win — or lose… 

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