Ohio once again fulfilled its promise to be the center and the decider of the nation's political landscape. As the dust from campaign season settles, it is worth looking at a recap of some of the most watched races in the Buckeye State.
 
Ohio continued its tradition of picking the winner by going with President Obama.  And in one of the most bitter statewide campaigns ever, Ohioans overwhelmingly returned Sherrod Brown to the United States Senate. However, there were many other lower profile contests that will have great impact on Ohioans in the coming years.
 
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans will continue to hold the majority allowing Ohioan John Boehner to remain Speaker. Ohio will send 12 Republicans and 4 Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives next year.   In one of the most watched House battles in the country, two sitting members of Congress battled to represent the 16th District with voters ultimately returning Congressman Jim Renacci (R) to Washington D.C. by defeating Congresswoman Betty Sutton (D) 52.33% to 47.77%.  In the 6th Congressional District, Congressman Bill Johnson (R) successfully defended his seat in a rematch of his 2010 contest against former Congressman Charlie Wilson (D) with a vote of 53.37% to 46.63%.

At the state level, the current 129th General Assembly (2011-2012) has 23 Republican and 10 Democrat members in the Senate, while the Ohio House of Representatives is controlled by the GOP with a 59-40 seat advantage. In the battle to control the 130th General Assembly (2013-2014), Republicans will continue to hold the gavel in both chambers.  The partisan split in the Ohio Senate will remain the same.  Due to three very close contests for seats in the Ohio House of Representatives, the Republican majority could be as high as 60-39 or as low as 58-41.  However, until provisional ballots are tallied (and the possibility of election recounts) the outcome of these races are yet to be determined.

In the important races for the Ohio Supreme Court, there was one blowout and two upsets. Justice Terrence O'Donnell (R) strolled to reelection winning over 69% of the vote. Justice Robert Cupp (R) was upset by challenger Judge William O'Neill (D), 52.32% to 47.68%, and Justice Yvette McGee Brown (D) was easily and surprisingly defeated by Judge Sharon Kennedy (R) by a margin of 57.27% to 42.73%. Governor Kasich will make an appointment to the high court when Justice Evelyn Stratton retires in December.

 

 

The Sports Pavilion's Automotive Research Complex (SPARC) will be a game changer for Cooper Stadium.  The stadium has been vacant since the Columbus Clippers moved to their new location in 2009.  Columbus-based Arshot Investment Corp. is leading the massive $43 million stadium re-development project.  SPARC's central attraction is a half-mile oval track with 8.5 acres of paved infield surrounded by 8,000 grandstand seats and twelve corporate luxury boxes.

Highlighting the project will be a four story automotive research and technology building that will include lease space to accommodate automotive research & designers, flex-office space as well as classrooms and an indoor exhibition area.  The 50,000 square foot research building will include an attached helix to allow for convenient access to the racetrack.  Construction has already begun and the facility will open in spring of 2014.  Automotive engineers, research companies, and third party automotive component evaluators will find the proximity to the track and secure on-site garages an appealing feature.  

This development will clearly be a home-run. At the ground breaking in October,  Dublin-based Midwestern Auto Group ("MAG") and Clean Fuels Ohio were announced as the first two tenants at the park.  While there is still space available, more tenant announcements are scheduled for early next year.  Whether you want to test drive a high performance Italian sports car or transform a fleet of drivers to CNG trucks or design a more aerodynamic side mirror, SPARC is the place. 

Fueled by its innovation center, SPARC will provide Ohio with a unique sports and entertainment spot.  Switching gears from automotive activity, the venue's versatile design will allow for extreme sports like motocross and BMX as well as concerts, shows and car club events.  A hotel and conference center will finish off the site development.  The project is expected to create more than 300 jobs and help transform an entire neighborhood west of Downtown Columbus.

For more information about SPARC, contact Keith Conroy or check out http://www.sparcohio.com/

See you at the races!