Ohio: Paul Hackett Drops Out of Senate Race

In one of the key Senate races in the nation, Paul Hackett, the Iraq War veteran running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio, dropped out of the race today. It's reported that Democratic Party leaders pushed him to drop his bid, urging him instead to run for the Ohio 2nd congressional district he contested so well last year. However, Mr. Hackett has decided to drop out of politics altogether, disgusted with the treatment he received from party leaders. It's too bad Mr. Hackett is dropping out of this race. Even though Mr. Hackett had the habit of making over the top statements, it would have been nice to see someone of his character make it to the Senate. The Senate is usually filled with millionaires and career politicians, but Mr. Hackett's neophyte political background and straight forward style would have brought a breath of fresh air.

With Mr. Hackett dropping out, it paves the way for a general election match-up between Democrat Rep. Sherrod Brown and Republican Senator Mike DeWine. The battle for this seat is considered one of the key Senate races in the country because of its potential competitiveness and low poll ratings of Mr. DeWine. In 2004, President Bush's narrow victory in Ohio clinched his bid for re-election. So in 2006, with the Democrats needing only 6 seats to retake the Senate, the Ohio Senate race might be the one that clinches their takeover.