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2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio
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The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the 16 U.S. representatives from the state of Ohio, a loss of two seats following the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate.
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Overview
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Perspective
Statewide
District
Results of the 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio by district:
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Redistricting
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Perspective
The redistricting process was formally begun by a legislative panel on June 16, 2011.[1] A proposal released in September 2011 would create 12 districts favoring Republicans and four favoring Democrats. In the proposal, one district which favored Republicans would be effectively eliminated, and the homes of six of the state's incumbents would be drawn into districts also containing the homes of other incumbents.[2] The map was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives on September 15[3] and by the Ohio Senate on September 21. The bill passed by the Senate included an appropriations provision intended to prevent the bill from being placed on the 2012 ballot by petition[4] and was passed again by the House the same day.[5] Governor John Kasich signed the bill into law on September 26.[6]
On September 28, the Ohio Democratic Party had filed suit in the Ohio Supreme Court, seeking a ruling on the legality of the Senate's addition of an appropriations provision.[7] On October 14, the Supreme Court ruled that a referendum on the map could go ahead. Ohioans for Fair Districts, the group calling for a referendum, asked the court to restart the 90-day time limit for the collection of signatures,[8] a request the court declined, meaning the 90-day period would begin on September 26 rather than October 14.[9] Chris Redfern, the chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, vowed to collect enough signatures to place the map on the ballot.[10]
If the map had received 66 votes in the House of Representatives, an emergency clause preventing a referendum from being held would have been invoked. As a result, in October 2011 Republicans sought the support of African American Democrats for an alternative map.[11] Later that month members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus met with Redfern, indicating they would not immediately seek to compromise with Republicans;[12] however on October 31 Bob Bennett, the former chair of the Ohio Republican Party appointed by House Speaker William G. Batchelder to negotiate an alternative map, said he thought the two parties were close to reaching an agreement.[13]
On November 3, Batchelder brought a slightly modified map to the floor of the House of Representatives. However, the House fell eight votes short of the 66 needed to bring the map up for a vote without a committee hearing having been held.[14]
Later in November, Ohio Democratic Party communications director Seth Bringman said the referendum effort had surpassed 100,000 signatures and aimed to have collected the over 230,000 signatures necessary by December 23.[15] However, a lack of funds prevented Ohioans for Fair Districts from hiring professional signature gatherers and necessitated the exclusive use of volunteers. Redfern said in December 2011 that Democrats might return to the Supreme Court to request that it reconsider its decision on the 90-day time limit. If the signature-gathering effort had failed, an amendment to the Ohio Constitution requiring compact and competitive districts could have been sought.[16] If the Democratic Party failed to collect enough signatures, the original map would have taken effect on Christmas Day 2011.[15]
On December 14, 2011, the House of Representatives and Senate both passed a new map, effectively resolving the situation.[17]
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District 1
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Perspective
The Ohio's 1st congressional district is based in Cincinnati, stretching southwestward to Ohio's borders with Kentucky and Indiana. After redistricting, it lost parts of Hamilton County and gained strongly republican Warren Country. This turned it from a district that was 1 percentage point more Democratic than the national average, to one that was 6 percentage points more Republican than the national average.[18] It had been represented by Republican Steve Chabot, who previously served from 1995 until 2009, since January 2011. He sought re-election in 2012.[19]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Steve Chabot, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Jeff Sinnard, engineering consultant and candidate for Ohio's 2nd congressional district in 2005 and 2006
Eliminated in primary
- Malcolm Kantzler, businessman[19]
Withdrew
- Eric Wilson
Declined
- Steve Driehaus, former U.S. Representative[21][22][23]
- Mark Mallory, Mayor of Cincinnati[24]
- Connie Pillich, state representative[25][26]
Primary results
Jeff Sinnard defeated Malcolm Kantzler by a scant 56 votes for the Democratic nomination (the reference footnote 19 provides only the unofficial, election night final tally).[28]
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Queen Noble, business owner[30]
Primary results
Green primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Rich Stevenson, political writer, activist and nominee for this district in 2010
Primary results
General election
Campaign
The Sinnard campaign was criticized for its lack of active campaigning and for not even having a campaign website.[33] Sinnard subsequently admitted he was just doing the party a favor by putting his name on the ballot.[34]
Endorsements
Steve Chabot (R)
Organizations
- Campaign for Working Families[35]
- National Right to Life Committee[36]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[37]
- Ohio Right to Life
- United States Chamber of Commerce[38]
Jeff Sinnard (D)
Labor unions
Did not endorse
Newspapers
Predictions
Results
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District 2
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Perspective
Republican Jean Schmidt had represented Ohio's 2nd congressional district since 2005.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Brad Wenstrup, podiatrist, U.S. Army veteran and candidate for mayor of Cincinnati in 2009;[47]
Eliminated in primary
- Tony Brush, businessman[19]
- Fred Kundrata, Air Force Veteran[19]
- Jean Schmidt, incumbent U.S. Representative
Disqualified
- Joe Green, businessman (ran as a write-in candidate)[19]
Primary results
Wenstrup upset Schmidt to win the nomination.[48]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- David Krikorian, businessman and candidate for this seat in 2008 and 2010.[49]
Declined
Primary results
Krikorian said in October 2011 that if he did not receive the support of the Democratic Party he would run as an independent candidate,[49] but he did not.
General election
Endorsements
Brad Wenstrup (R)
Organizations
Predictions
Results
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District 3
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Perspective
The new 3rd district is based in Columbus. Redistricting placed most of the heavily Democratic portions of Columbus into the 3rd, with much of the rest of Columbus split into the more Republican 12th and 15th districts.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Joyce Beatty, vice president of Ohio State University and former minority leader of the Ohio House of Representatives[50][28]
Eliminated in primary
- Ted Celeste, state representative[51]
- Mary Jo Kilroy, former U.S. Representative[52]
- Priscilla R. Tyson, Columbus city council member[53]
Declined
- Kevin Boyce, former State Treasurer[51][54]
- Paula Brooks, member of Franklin County Board of Commissioners and nominee for the 12th district in 2010[55]
- Jennifer Brunner, former Ohio Secretary of State[56][55]
- John Patrick Carney, state representative;[51]
- Michael Coleman, Mayor of Columbus[56]
- Nancy Garland, state representative;[51]
- Andrew Ginther, president of the Columbus city council;[54]
- Zach Klein, member of the Columbus City Council;[56][51]
- John O'Grady, Franklin County Commissioner[51]
- Charleta Tavares, state senator[56][54]
Primary results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Chris Long, member of the Reynoldsburg city council[28][57]
Eliminated in primary
- John Adams, manufacturing company owner
Primary results
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Richard Ehrbar
Primary results
Green primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Bob Fitrakis, professor
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Joyce Beatty (D)
Chris Long (R)
Organizations
Predictions
Results
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District 4
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Perspective
Republican Jim Jordan had represented Ohio's 4th congressional district since 2007. He sought re-election in 2012.[69]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Jim Jordan, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Jim Slone, former General Motors employee[28][69]
Primary results
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Chris Kalla[69]
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Jim Jordan (R)
Organizations
- Campaign for Working Families[35]
- National Right to Life Committee[36]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[37]
- Ohio Right to Life
- United States Chamber of Commerce[38]
Jim Slone (D)
Predictions
Results
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District 5
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Perspective
Republican Bob Latta, who had represented Ohio's 5th congressional district since 2007, sought re-election in 2012. He defeated Robert Wallis in the Republican primary.[28][70]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Bob Latta, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
- Robert Wallis, business owner and candidate for this seat in 2010
Primary results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Angela Zimmann, pastor and professor[28]
Primary results
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Eric Eberly[70]
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Bob Latta (R)
Organizations
- Campaign for Working Families[35]
- National Right to Life Committee[36]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[37]
- Ohio Right to Life
- United States Chamber of Commerce[38]
Angela Zimmann (D)
Predictions
Results
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District 6
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The 6th district encompasses Appalachian Ohio, including Steubenville, Marietta, and Ironton. Republican Bill Johnson, who had represented Ohio's 6th congressional district since January 2011, sought re-election in 2012. He defeated Victor Smith in the Republican primary.[28][75]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Bill Johnson, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
- Victor Smith
Primary results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Charlie Wilson, former U.S. Representative[28][76]
Eliminated in primary
- Cas Adulewicz[75]
Declined
- John Boccieri, former U.S. Representative[56][77][78]
- Zack Space, former U.S. Representative[56][54]
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Bill Johnson (R)
Organizations
Charlie Wilson (D)
Labor unions
- AFL-CIO[58]
- American Federation of Government Employees[81]
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
- American Federation of Teachers
- American Postal Workers Union
- International Association of Fire Fighters
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers[60]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
- International Union of Operating Engineers
- Laborers' International Union of North America
- National Education Association
- Sheet Metal Workers' International Association
- United Food and Commercial Workers
- United Mine Workers of America
- United Steelworkers
Organizations
Polling
Predictions
Results
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District 7
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Perspective
Republican Bob Gibbs, who had represented Ohio's 18th congressional district since January 2011, won the Republican nomination in the new 7th district.[88] He defeated pastor Hombre Liggett.[28][89]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Bob Gibbs, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
- Hombre Liggett
Primary results
Democratic primary
Joseph Liolios had planned to run, but failed to refile after the Ohio General Assembly modified some districts' boundaries and moved the date of the primary.[90]
Political consultant Bill Burges suggested in September 2011 that Democratic U.S. Representative Betty Sutton, who had represented the 13th district since 2007, might have sought re-election in the 7th district;[54] however, in December 2011, she announced plans to run in the 16th district.[91]
Candidates
Nominee
- Joyce Healy-Abrams, businesswoman and sister of Canton mayor William J. Healy II[28]
Declined
- John Boccieri, former U.S. Representative[56][78]
- Zack Space, former U.S. Representative[56][54]
- Betty Sutton, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 13th district
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Bob Gibbs (R)
Organizations
- Campaign for Working Families[35]
- Gun Owners of America
- National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" Program[80]
- National Right to Life Committee[36]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[37]
- Ohio Right to Life
- United States Chamber of Commerce[38]
Newspapers
Joyce Healy-Abrams (D)
Polling
Hypothetical polling
With Generic Democratic
Predictions
Results
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District 8
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Perspective
Ohio's 8th congressional district had been represented by Republican John Boehner, the Speaker of the House, since 1991. He sought re-election in 2012.[19]
No Democrat filed to challenge Boehner.[19]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- John Boehner, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
John Boehner (R)
Organizations
- Campaign for Working Families[35]
- National Right to Life Committee[36]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[37]
- Ohio Right to Life
- United States Chamber of Commerce[38]
Predictions
Results
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District 9
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Perspective
Democratic U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur, who had represented Ohio's 9th congressional district since 1983; and Dennis Kucinich, who represented Ohio's 10th congressional district from 1997 until January 3, 2013, and had considered seeking re-election in Washington[97] or in the 11th district, sought re-election in the 9th district.
Both Democratic and Republican primaries were held on March 6, 2012.
Democratic primary

Kaptur:
40–50%
70–80%
80–90%
>90%
Kucinich:
70–80%
Candidates
Nominee
- Marcy Kaptur, incumbent U.S. Representative[98]
Eliminated in primary
- Dennis Kucinich, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 10th district, former mayor of Cleveland, candidate for secretary of state in 1982, and candidate for President of the United States in 2004 and 2008[99]
- Graham Veysey, video production manager[89]
Primary results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Samuel Wurzelbacher, a/k/a "Joe the Plumber", conservative activist and commentator[100][101]
Eliminated in primary
- Steven Kraus, auctioneer
Declined
Primary results
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Sean Stipe
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Marcy Kaptur (D)
Labor unions
- AFL-CIO[58]
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers[60]
- National Association of Letter Carriers[61]
- National Education Association
- United Steelworkers
Organizations
Newspapers
Samuel Wurzelbacher (R)
Predictions
Results
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District 10
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Perspective
Republican U.S. Representative Mike Turner, who had represented Ohio's 3rd congressional district since 2003, sought re-election in the new 10th district in 2012.[104]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Mike Turner, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
Withdrawn
- Robert Frost, chair of the Cuyahoga County Republican Party[106]
Declined
- Steve Austria, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 7th district[104][107]
Endorsements
John Anderson
Organizations
Primary results
Democratic primary
Six candidates qualified for the ballot in the Democratic primary. Sharen Neuhardt won the March primary with a plurality of 36% of the vote.[109] She had in 2008 run for the seat held by Steve Austria, who defeated her 58%-42%[110] in a district McCain won 54%-45%, thus underperforming Obama by three points. However, this redrawn district McCain would have won 50%-49%.[111]
Candidates
Nominee
- Sharen Neuhardt, attorney and nominee for the 7th district in 2008
Eliminated in primary
Withdrawn
- Michael Gardner
- Richard Scott Wharton
Primary results
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- David Harlow
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Mike Turner (R)
Labor unions
Organizations
- Campaign for Working Families[35]
- National Right to Life Committee[36]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[37]
- Ohio Right to Life
- United States Chamber of Commerce[38]
Sharen Neuhardt (D)
Labor unions
- AFL-CIO[58]
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers[60]
- National Education Association
- United Steelworkers
Organizations
Predictions
Results
District 11
Summarize
Perspective
Ohio's 11th congressional district had been represented by Democrat Marcia Fudge since 2008. She sought re-election in 2012.[89]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Marcia Fudge, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
- Gerald Henley, former member of the Cleveland school board and independent candidate for Cuyahoga County Council in 2010
- Isaac Powell, candidate for this seat in 2008 and 2010[28][114]
Declined
- Marie Jefferson
- Dennis Kucinich, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 10th district, former mayor of Cleveland, candidate for secretary of state in 1982, and candidate for President of the United States in 2004 and 2008 (running in the 9th district)[99]
- Linda Omobien, Akron city council member
- Marco Sommerville, president of the Akron city council
- Vernon Sykes state representative
- Nina Turner, state senator[89]
- Mike Williams, Akron city council member[54]
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Marcia Fudge (D)
Predictions
Results
District 12
Summarize
Perspective
Ohio's 12th congressional district had been represented by Republican Pat Tiberi since 2001. He sought re-election in 2012.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Pat Tiberi, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
Endorsements
William Yarbrough
Organizations
Primary results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- James Reese, attorney
Eliminated in primary
- Doug Litt, employee of Spherion Staffing at Gorman-Rupp and nominee for the 4th district in 2010[116][115][28]
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Pat Tiberi (R)
Jim Reese (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Predictions
Results
District 13
Summarize
Perspective
Democrat Betty Sutton, who had represented Ohio's 13th congressional district since 2007, sought re-election in the new 16th district in 2012.[91] Tim Ryan, who had represented the now-defunct 17th district since 2003, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the new 13th district.[91]
Democratic primary
John Stephen Luchansky and Lisa Regula Meyer had also filed to seek the Democratic nomination, but both failed to refile after the Ohio General Assembly modified some districts' boundaries and moved the date of the primary.[118]
Candidates
Nominee
- Tim Ryan, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Marisha Agana, Pediatrician[89]
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Tim Ryan (D)
Marisha Agana (R)
Organizations
Predictions
Results
District 14
Summarize
Perspective
Republican Steve LaTourette, who had represented Ohio's 14th congressional district since 1995, was expected to seek re-election and ran unopposed in the party primary[89]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Steve LaTourette, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
LaTourette announced on July 31, 2012, that he was retiring at the end of the term. He officially withdrew from the ballot on August 8, allowing the party chairmen from the seven counties in the district to select a replacement nominee.[119]
Replacement Nominee
- David Joyce, Geauga County Prosecutor[120]
Other possible replacements who had been mentioned included Willoughby-Eastlake School Board member Paul Brickner,[121] former state Senator Kevin Coughlin,[122] Lake County Judge Vince Culotta,[122] former state Representative Matt Dolan,[122] former state Senator Tim Grendell,[122] state Senator Frank LaRose,[122] Cuyahoga County Councilman Jack Schron,[121] and state Representative Ron Young.[121]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Primary results
Green primary
- Elaine Mastromatteo
Primary results
Libertarian primary
- David Macko[89]
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
David Joyce (R)
Organizations
- National Republican Congressional Committee "Young Guns" Program
- NRA Political Victory Fund[37]
- Ohio Right to Life
- United States Chamber of Commerce[38]
Newspapers
Predictions
Results
District 15
Summarize
Perspective
Republican Steve Stivers, who had represented Ohio's 15th congressional district since January 2011, sought re-election in 2012.[124]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Steve Stivers, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary
Primary results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Pat Lang, Athens city law director
Eliminated in primary
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Steve Stivers (R)
Pat Lang (D)
Predictions
Results
District 16
Summarize
Perspective
Ohio's 16th congressional district had been represented by Republican Jim Renacci since January 2011. He sought re-election in 2012.[89]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Jim Renacci, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Betty Sutton, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 13th district[91]
Declined
- John Boccieri, former U.S. Representative[56][78]
- Zack Space, former U.S. Representative[56][54]
Primary results
Candidates
Nominee
Primary results
General election
Endorsements
Jim Renacci (R)
Betty Sutton (D)
Labor unions
- AFL-CIO[58]
- American Nurses Association[130]
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers[60]
- National Association of Letter Carriers[61]
- National Education Association
- United Steelworkers
Organizations
- Alliance for Retired Americans[71]
- Council for a Livable World[113]
- Democracy for America[72]
- Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Frontline" Program[131]
- EMILY's List[63][132]
- Equality Ohio[64]
- Feminist Majority[65]
- Human Rights Campaign[66]
- Humane Society of the United States
- National Organization for Women[67]
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund[68]
- Sierra Club[73]
- Stonewall Democrats
Newspapers
Polling
Debates
- Complete video of debate, October 10, 2012
Predictions
Results
References
External links
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