By Elizabeth Miller
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ted Strickland stopped at a local union office today in Cleveland to meet supporters campaigning for the candidate. The former Ohio Governor is hoping a last minute push will help secure a win Tuesday.
At the local AFL-CIO office, a few Strickland supporters called potential voters advance of tomorrow’s primary.
They’re part of the get out the vote effort in support of Strickland, who’s got the backing of the democratic party and spoke about the importance of phone – banking.
"These calls I think will encourage a larger turnout, more people will come out to vote. And that’s always good for Democrats," said Strickland.
"The more people who come out to vote the better Democrats normally do."
Kim Thomas has been running weekly phone banks and registering voters at her salon in Cleveland. She says it’s important for salons and barbershops to make sure their customers are registered to vote.
"We are the pillars of the community, we know what’s going on in salons whether it be good or bad," said Thomas. "The customers and the guests that come to our salons and barbershops listen to us."
Strickland says he’s feeling confident about tomorrow’s primary. He’s up against Cincinnati Councilman PG Sittenfeld and occupational therapist Kelli Prather. A Public Policy Poll from earlier this month has Strickland leading among likely Democratic voters with 50% compared to 16% for Sittenfeld and Prather’s 6%.
Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face either incumbent Rob Portman or former legislative analyst Don Eckhart in November.