Schmidt Wins

The AP:

The Associated Press declared Republican Jean Schmidt the unofficial winner over Democrat Paul Hackett in a neck-and-neck congressional race...

With 88% of the precincts reporting, Schmidt leads Hackett by 870 votes -- 49,681 to 48,811 -- to fill the Ohio Second Congressional District seat.

The congressional race was much closer than first expected, thanks to Hackett's status as an Iraq War veteran. The campaign drew national attention largely because of Hackett's military service and his criticism of President George W. Bush.

The special election was scheduled after Rob Portman resigned to join Bush's cabinet.

In spite of the well-oiled Republican machine, Hackett came thisclose to winning a seat in what Schmidt herself calls "the most crimson of red" districts in the country.

Ohio today was a testing ground for 2006. I wouldn't rest easy if I'm a Republican operative.

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