Ted Strickland

Theodore Strickland is an American politician who served as the 68th governor of Ohio from 2007 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, Strickland previously represented Ohio's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2007. He is notable for being the most recent Democrat to hold the governorship of Ohio as of 2026. Strickland's political career has been shaped by his background in psychology and ministry, as well as his experiences in both state and federal government.

Early life and career

Ted Strickland was born on August 4, 1941, in Lucasville, Ohio, to Carrie and Charles Orville Strickland. He was raised in a large family, being one of nine children. Strickland graduated from Northwest High School in 1959 and went on to become the first member of his family to attend college. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in psychology from Asbury College in 1963. Strickland continued his education at the University of Kentucky, where he received a Master of Arts degree in guidance counseling in 1966, followed by a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1967. He later returned to the University of Kentucky to obtain a Ph.D. in counseling psychology in 1980.

Strickland's professional career began in the field of psychology. He worked as a counseling psychologist at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville and served as an administrator at a Methodist children's home. Additionally, he held a position as a professor of psychology at Shawnee State University. Strickland is also an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church and served as a minister at a church in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Strickland's initial foray into politics began with his unsuccessful attempts to secure a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Ohio's 6th congressional district in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He ran for the position in 1976, 1978, and 1980, but was defeated each time by long-time incumbent William H. Harsha and later by Harsha's successor, Bob McEwen. However, Strickland made a successful comeback in 1992, running against McEwen again. This time, he capitalized on McEwen's political vulnerabilities stemming from the House banking scandal, winning the election by a narrow margin. Strickland began his congressional service in January 1993 as a member of the 103rd Congress.

During his tenure in the House, Strickland faced challenges, including losing his seat in the Republican Revolution of 1994 to businessman Frank Cremeans. He reclaimed his position two years later in a similarly close race and took office again in January 1997. Strickland successfully fended off challenges in subsequent elections, including a strong challenge from Lieutenant Governor Nancy Hollister in 1998. He was re-elected in 2000, 2002, and 2004, running unopposed in his final re-election campaign. Throughout his time in Congress, he served on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Governorship

Strickland announced his candidacy for governor of Ohio in 2006, following the term-limited departure of incumbent Governor Bob Taft. He won the Democratic primary on May 2, 2006, with a significant majority of the votes. For his gubernatorial campaign, Strickland selected Lee Fisher, a former Ohio attorney general and the Democratic nominee for governor in 1998, as his running mate. His campaign garnered endorsements from various organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police and the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Notably, a group called Republicans for Strickland publicly endorsed him, indicating a level of bipartisan support.

In the general election held on November 7, 2006, Strickland faced Republican candidate Ken Blackwell, Libertarian Bill Peirce, and Green Party candidate Bob Fitrakis. Strickland won decisively, receiving a substantial number of votes and securing his position as governor.

Strickland was sworn in on January 8, 2007. His administration began with the approval of a $52 billion budget for the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 by the Ohio legislature in June 2007. However, as the Great Recession began to impact the state, Strickland faced significant economic challenges. In January 2008, he ordered a reduction in state spending due to a revenue shortfall, which included job cuts and the closure of state mental hospitals. The economic situation continued to deteriorate, leading to further budget cuts later that year.

Strickland sought re-election in 2010, choosing former juvenile court judge Yvette McGee Brown as his running mate after Fisher decided to run for the U.S. Senate. In the general election, he faced Republican John Kasich, who ultimately defeated him by a narrow margin. Strickland's governorship was characterized by efforts to address the economic difficulties facing Ohio during this tumultuous period.

Policy focus and legacy

During his time as governor, Strickland's administration was heavily influenced by the economic climate of the Great Recession. His policies aimed to address the immediate challenges posed by budget shortfalls and economic instability. Strickland's approach included significant budget cuts and efforts to manage state resources more effectively in response to declining revenues.

Strickland's governorship also included initiatives aimed at improving education and healthcare in Ohio. He advocated for policies that would enhance the quality of education and access to healthcare services for Ohio residents. His administration's focus on these areas reflected a commitment to addressing the needs of the state's citizens during a period of economic hardship.

After leaving office in 2011, Strickland continued to be active in public policy. He served as president of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, a progressive research and advocacy organization. In 2016, he was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate in Ohio, although he was defeated by the incumbent Republican Senator Rob Portman.

Strickland's political career is marked by his experiences in both state and federal government, as well as his background in psychology and ministry. His tenure as governor of Ohio remains significant, particularly as he is the most recent Democrat to hold that office as of 2026.