Ohio's race for governor this year promises to be a battle between two candidates, Watch of whom is appealing strongly to Christian voters. The Associated Press reports this morning that Democratic candidate Ted Strickland, a former United Methodist minister, has just bought extensive advertising on Christian talk, gospel and other religious stations in communities around the state that have traditionally been the territory of his Republican opponent, Kenneth Blackwell who has been backed by the conservative Christian Ohio Restoration Project. (See prior posting.) In his new ad, Strickland quotes a passage from the Biblical book of Micah, that calls for people "to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God." He says he has applied the principle throughout his life, and continues: "And now I am running for governor because most Ohioans know that we are not doing as well as we should. Ohio is in desperate need of new leadership and the same biblical principles which have guided and instructed me in the past will continue to sustain me as I serve as Ohio's next governor."
After the Blackwell campaign accused Strickland of having a record of voting against issues that are important to Christian conservatives, Strickland's campaign spokesman said that Strickland opposes using religion "to divide Ohioans against one another".
