Turnaround Ted's Economic Record

The Bottom Line:  In 2006, Ted Strickland ran for governor on a platform he called Turnaround Ohio - a "bold, progressive, comprehensive vision to return Ohio to greatness" that would "rescue the state's economy."  Almost four years later, Ohio has:

• Reached double-digit unemployment,
• Lost more than 340,000 jobs,
• Ranked among the worst states in the nation for economic development,
• Achieved record home foreclosure rates, and
• Watched helplessly as major employers shut down and relocate to other states.  

Simply put, Ted Strickland has failed to Turnaround Ohio.  It's time to Turnaround Ted.

 

That Was Then

Strickland in 2006: 

"I think I'm the jobs candidate."  (Dayton Daily News, 1/19/06)

Strickland promised to "rescue" Ohio's economy:

U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, a Democratic candidate for governor, says his Turnaround Ohio plan will rescue the state's economy.  (The Columbus Dispatch, 2/25/06)

Strickland promised to "return Ohio to greatness":

Strickland promoted his "Turn Around Ohio" plan as a "bold, progressive, comprehensive vision to return Ohio to greatness." (Call & Post, 5/4/06)

Strickland promised to "jump-start Ohio's economy":

Strickland touted his 'Turnaround Ohio' plan as one that can jump-start Ohio's economy, without raising taxes. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/5/06)

Strickland promised to hold himself accountable for job creation:

"Every morning when I get out of bed, I'm going to look in the mirror and I'm going to say, 'Governor Strickland, what are you going to do today to create jobs for Ohioans to provide economic security for Ohio's families?'" (The Other Paper, 9/11/06)

Strickland called job creation "central" to his responsibilities:

"The issues that I've said are central to my responsibilities as governor are economic development and job creation," Strickland said. (Columbus Dispatch, 5/13/06)

This Is Now

The Strickland-Fisher record:

• "Since taking office in January 2007, Gov. Ted Strickland has seen a significant downturn in the state’s economy." (David Skolnick, Youngstown Vindicator, 10/02/09)
   
• Ohio has lost more than 330,000 jobs since Strickland took office in 2007. (Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, August Unemployment Statistics, 09/18/09)
   
• 85 of Ohio's 88 counties have reached their highest unemployment rates in at least 20 years. (The Plain Dealer, 09/27/09)
   
• Ohio now ranks second in the nation in jobless claims. (Associated Press, 09/03/09)

• In the last year alone, more than 250,000 Ohioans have lost their jobs under double-digit unemployment, now at its highest level in more than a quarter century (and nearly four points higher than neighboring West Virginia). (Business First Columbus, 08/21/09)

• Ohio ranks next to last in economic performance. (Dayton Business Journal, 08/19/09)
   
• Ohio ranks worst in the nation in manufacturing job loss. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, 08/27/09)
   
• The Dayton area's second-largest employer is moving to Georgia. (Associated Press, 06/02/09)
   
• One of Southwest Ohio's largest employers is moving to Kentucky. (Plain Dealer, 04/17/09)
   
• Nearly 60 percent of college students plan to leave Ohio after graduation in search of job opportunities. (Associated Press, 06/16/09)

• Since Strickland took office in 2007, "Ohio has lost... about twice as many jobs as there are residents of Dayton." (Dayton Daily News, 09/05/09)

• Ohio's credit rating has been downgraded to a "negative outlook," and the state is "in danger of having its rating dropped again." (Associated Press, 08/29/09)

• The Plain Dealer recently called Strickland's failure to name a permanent economic development director "inexplicable." (Editorial, The Plain Dealer, 09/02/09)
   
• The number of Ohioans who have exhausted their unemployment benefits has risen to levels not seen since the early 1980s. (The Columbus Dispatch, 10/08/09)

What Others are Saying

• "The Strickland administration has turned out to be one of the most dysfunctional in Ohio history." (Editorial, Columbus Dispatch, 10/01/09)
   
• "With breathtaking ineptitude, this governor has almost single-handedly created one of the worst budget crises in the state's 206-year history." (Brent Larkin, The Plain Dealer, 09/27/09)
   
• "Gov. Ted Strickland is recklessly, obstinately and selfishly putting Ohio on a horrible course." (Editorial, Dayton Daily News, 07/12/09)
   
• "No one should believe he's a good governor - because he's not.  The lack of leadership this governor has shown throughout this crisis is nothing short of appalling." (Brent Larkin, The Plain Dealer, 6/28/09)
   
• "Why were Strickland and the Democrats so eager to regain the Governor's Mansion and legislative power, only to run from the very responsibilities they fought so hard to win?"  (Editorial, Columbus Dispatch, 5/1/09)