A group of prominent Democratic politicians made an appearance in Kent Monday as part of a

final-stretch campaign for Ted Strickland.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, First Lady Frances Strickland and wife of Ohio Treasurer, Crystal Boyce,

spoke briefly at the Kent Democratic Coordinating Campaign office to energize volunteers

campaigning during the last hours before the election.

“So far, momentum is in the Democrats’ direction,” Strickland said. “One of the things they

were looking for, for proof of an enthusiasm gap, was the fact that the republicans would out

vote us in early voting. Well that didn’t happen. We out voted them at least by 10 percent.”

Brown said students had a lot to lose if Kasich won the gubernatorial race.

“The contrast between Strickland, who has frozen tuition two years, who has worked with

President Obama and me and others for increasing Pell Grants and helping people who have

school debt pay it back at lower rates…” Brown said, “contrast that with his challenger John

Kasich, who is going to get rid of the income tax which means a 40 percent cut in funding for

schools, which means tuition goes up.”

Anita Bixenstine, voter contact captain for the KDCC, said the trio’s visit helped invigorate

volunteers to encourage as many people as possible to vote today.

“The energy it takes for candidates to travel around the state and communicate is really

tremendous,” Bixenstine said. “You know that expression ‘If you don’t vote, don’t complain?’

Well, if you don’t work for voting, then you cant complain about influencing the way the vote

goes. I’m here to influence the way the vote goes.”

Boyce said Democratic campaign energy is high despite common misconceptions.

“People keep saying there’s no enthusiasm, but we want it,” she said. “It’s because of you

people…without you we couldn’t do this.”

Brown, Strickland and Boyce also made stops in Youngstown, Canton and Warren yesterday.

Bixenstine said members of the KDCC will spend the remaining hours before the polls close

tonight, knocking on doors and making phone calls to encourage voting.