Dean: Hackett Race Highlights Success of Fifty-State Strategy

Washington, DC - Iraq War veteran Paul Hackett showed that Democrats can be competitive all over the country by running a remarkable campaign to replace former Rep. Rob Portman in a district that voted overwhelmingly for President Bush in 2004.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said that Hackett's strong performance, where he came within a few thousand votes of victory, was another signal that voters are increasingly dissatisfied with the culture of corruption that has taken hold among the Republican leadership in Congress and are ready for the positive agenda Democrats are offering. Given the Ohio Republican Party's woes and the scandals surrounding Tom Noe, these results could turn the tide in the state.

Hackett faced a vicious television ad blitz financed by Washington Republicans who spent more than a half a million dollars trying to discredit his service as an Iraq War veteran in an attempt to hold onto a seat that they have controlled for 40 years.

Democrats will aggressively contest elections up-and-down the ballot, all across America. The DNC sent 28 campaign staff to Ohio to help respond to the Washington Republicans' desperate attempt to keep this seat. The operation on the ground was complemented by an integrated Internet organizing campaign to empower grassroots volunteers and small donors both in Ohio and around the country.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement praising Hackett's campaign:

"Paul ran a very close race in a tough district. His success is a wake-up call to Republicans in 2006 that the culture of corruption they've brought to Washington is on its way out. Paul's strong performance shows that Democrats can be competitive when we show up and talk about what we stand for."

Other information of note about Paul Hackett's unprecedented showing in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District:

• Voters in Hackett's district voted nearly two-to-one for President Bush in 2004.
  
  
• In 2004, more than 70 percent voted for the Republican incumbent, Rob Portman.