Two crusaders with very different approaches are matched in the Ohio race for the U.S. Senate.  Sen. George V. Voinovich a Republican from Cleveland, is seeking a second term against Democratic state Sen. Eric D. Fingerhut of Shaker Heights. Senators serve six-year terms and are paid $158,100 annually.

On the face of it, the Voinovich-Fingerhut race appears to be a mismatch in terms of both experience and campaign cash. In 1991, when Fingerhut was in his first term in the Ohio Senate, Voinovich was serving as Ohio’s 65 th governor, his sixth elective office in a political career that began in 1967. And Voinovich this year has rolled up a huge advantage in campaign cash, raising $9.5 million and reporting $4.2 million in the bank as of Sept. 30. That compared to $1.1 million raised and $93,276 in the bank for Fingerhut, according to the most recent quarterly campaign finance reports.

But in other regards, they are quite closely matched. Both are hard-working, wellspoken and knowledgeable elected officials who do their homework and are unafraid to voice their opinions.  ...

Fingerhut, in his first run for statewide office, suffers from lower name recognition than Voinovich. However, the Democrat’s recent ‘‘walk in the shoes of Ohioans" campaign — in which he walked a total of 443 miles across the state on two separate occasions in the summer and fall — helped build his political and personal stamina.  (more)

• Women for Fingerhut mobilize networks, launch 3-day online initiative to Get Out The Women Vote for Eric "This is an extraordinary moment in Ohio politics. While the 'experts'' attention is focused elsewhere, our friend, State Senator and former U.S. Congressman Eric Fingerhut, is about to overtake Senator George Voinovich in Ohio's critically-important U.S. Senate race. We must stand with the only candidate for the U.S. Senate who always stands with us.Together, we can elect that candidate, Eric Fingerhut, on Tuesday." Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (more)


          Now is the TIME.    This is the RACE!      SCHEDULE

Senate race's campaigns differ widely: Voinovich's war chest fuels TV ads. Fingerhut walks state, puts out book Akron Beacon Journal, October 28, 2004 (free registration required)
Comparison Chart: U.S. Senate candidates on the issues Akron Beacon Journal
Voinovich makes stop in Marietta Marietta Times, October 27, 2004 ... Fingerhut said the visit was the perfect example of what his campaign has been saying: Voinovich is out of touch with Ohioans. "I've walked the entire river to see what exactly has happened --- and certainly if I were in a position to help --- you would have seen me be responsive immediately," Fingerhut said. Fingerhut walked from Steubenville to Marietta in early October and has another trip planned for Thursday.
Fingerhut gets personal in 200-hour tour Plain Dealer October 28, 2004
A moving election clock: Senate candidate visits city in wee hours Bellefontaine Examiner October 27, 2004
U.S. senate candidate hitting 200 cities in 200 hours Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune October 27, 2004
Whirlwind tour leads Fingerhut to Kenyon  October 26, 2004 Mt. Vernon News
Voinovich, Fingerhut agree on top issues: Senator, challenger differ on solutions Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum October 26, 2004 
Candidate to visit 200 cities in final 200 hours on trail Chillicothe Gazette October 26, 4004

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U.S. SENATE DEBATE COVERAGE
Voinovich, Fingerhut Take Turns In Heated Debate WCPO-TV Cincinnati - 10.23.04
Ohio's security at issue in debate Cincinnati Post - 10.23.04
Voinovich, Fingerhut hit on top issues Toledo Blade - 10.23.04   
In debate, Voinovich, Fingerhut split on war, Medicare Plain Dealer - 10.23.04
Debate stresses differences in deficit, Iraq, Medicaid Cincinnati Enquirer 10.23.04

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