Dennis Kucinich's electoral record against a Republican incumbent...

[helleborient]

To clear up mis-representations of Dennis Kucinich's record in running against Republican incumbents...particularly the notion that he somehow has ever polled 50% of the Republican vote against a Republican incumbent.

Dennis Kucinich was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996 against two-term Republican incumbent Martin R. Hoke. The vote totals were as follows:


Dennis Kucinich - 110,723 or 49.1%
Martin Hoke - 104,546 or 46.3%
Robert Iverson - 10,415 or 4.6%


It is highly unlikely that Dennis Kucinich polled anywhere close to 50% of Republican voters since he failed to poll 50% of the overall vote.

I believe Dennis Kucinich is a great candidate, but I also believe in truth about the electoral record.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

1. Clear up misrepresentations...nice lead in

Interesting that you want to clear up misrepresentations with misrepresentation.

Yes you have posted how Dennis won against the incumbent in 1996.
How is he supposed to run against the incumbent in subsequent elections when he is the incumbent.

He won in a district which had a history of electing repubs. He beat the incumbent then went on to win nearly 75% of the vote ONLY 4 years later.

Lets look at his next election in 2000.

Ohio: District 10
Dennis Kucinich Democrat 73.989%
Ron Petrie Libertarian 3.277%
Bill Smith Republican 22.734%


Percentage Reporting: 97.877%

http://www.evote.com/elections2000/results/NewStates/OH.asp


It is highly likely he won 50% of the republican vote since he polled near 75% of the total.

"I believe Dennis Kucinich is a great candidate, but I also believe in truth about the electoral record."

TWL

[helleborient]

2. And the opposition candidate Bill Smith...

In this election where Dennis won 75% of the vote.

From my research, he had run a previous campaign for congress in Ohio's 20th district in 1990 where he won 26% of the vote.

The only experience in government I could find for Smith is as a county legislator...his campaign had no web site, and it would seem little money.

He was running against a candidate who had previously failed to receive even 30% of the vote.

Sounds like tough Republican opposition.

Most Democratic incumbents poll 70% of the vote in these circumstances.

[helleborient]

3. Dennis' district is considered to "lean to the left"

Here's the CNN AllPolitics report on the 1996 race against "unpopular" Republican Martin Hoke.

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/news/9611/05/house/100/oh10/