Ohio First Lady Frances Strickland visited Portsmouth on Friday to meet volunteers working at the Scioto County Democratic Party Headquarters, located at 1018 Chillicothe St.

Frances Strickland is the wife of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland — the incumbent Democratic candidate seeking re-election in November. Strickland is challenged by Republican candidate John Kasich, a former congressman from Ohio’s 12th U.S. House District.

“She started out in South Point earlier in the day, and she’s coming today to meet and greet some of the people on the campaign trail for Ted’s re-election and the state ticket,” said Scioto County Democratic Party Chairman Randy Basham.

He said the party was laying the groundwork for its plans between now and election day, Nov. 4.

“I wanted to come back and touch base with the people that have mattered through the years,” Strickland said. “Scioto County has always made a difference to him, and of course this being his home county we always want to stay close and express our gratitude.”

She noted similarities in this election to her husband’s 1994 congressional campaign, when the economy was the big issue then as it is now. She stressed the delicacy of cutting the budget without cutting important programs that many people depend on.

“There were people who believed there were easy, simple solutions, and that you just got tough and you slashed government. When it was all said and done they realized that when you slash government you slash important programs that mattered and were important for families to survive,” she said. “I just don’t think people really understand that cutting government — so much of that budget goes to education, and it supports the prisons. I think they forget or they don’t make the connection between the number of services that they need and depend on, and the fact that they’re coming from the government.”

After speaking, Strickland performed a selection of Democratic party campaign songs with Democrat candidate for the 89th House District Ron Hadsell and Shirley Crothers-Marley.

The Scioto County Democratic Headquarters will have a public grand opening at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday with current Lt. Governor and candidate for U.S. Senate Lee Fisher. The Scioto County Democratic Party can also be found online at www.orgsites.com/oh/sciotocodems/index.html.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, or e-mail rottney@heartlandpublications.com.