In a race that went back and forth throughout the night, Republican Pat Tiberi claimed the final victory over Democrat Maryellen O’Shaughnessy in the race for the 12th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. With 70 percent of the precincts reporting, Tiberi lead 51 percent to 45 percent. In a glassy-eyed acceptance speech that was televised from Tiberi’s private party at Villa Milano in Westerville, Tiberi thanked his family and all of the people who worked for his election.”I said from the very beginning that we were going to win with people; a people-to-people campaign, and you won for me,” Tiberi said.Tiberi is finishing his fourth term as state representative in the 26th Ohio House District. His issues include reducing the power of the federal government, reducing taxes and reforming health care and education.”We proved in America that it can be done,” he said. “You can have a dream, and with hard work, dedication and people behind you, it can come true.” He said that he was proof of that.Tiberi is a first-generation born American and life-long resident of the 12th Congressional District.Russ Long, a legislative aide in the Ohio House said, “Tiberi was above dirty political tricks and he will stick to his values in Washington, even if they are not popular.” O’Shaughnessy, a fifth-generation Ohioan and member of Columbus City Council, was disappointed by the close loss, but looked toward the future.”That doesn’t mean all our voices go away … we gave it a hell of a shot,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier with the effort and we’ve got them wondering, don’t we?”O’Shaughnessy’s issues include children’s health and safety, improving schools and providing prescription drug coverage for seniors.Garrett Gandee, an Ohio State senior in political science said, “I thought she ran a great campaign overall, but John Kasich, his endorsement (of Tiberi) had a negative effect on the campaign.”The seat was vacated by Kasich who was first elected in 1982.
-Dave O’Neil, Anthony Blevins, Melissa Benzel, Sarah Estle and Christina Martindale contributed to this story.