Correction appended
Ted Strickland, the Democratic nominee for an Ohio seat in the U.S. Senate, began his speech Thursday night at a fundraiser in Athens with an anecdote about his 1992 campaign.
That year, Strickland was making his fourth bid for Ohio's 6th congressional district after three failed attempts in the late '70s. Strickland said he was behind his opponent, Robert McEwen, when the results from the last county came in.
"Then (my wife) Francis looks up and says, 'You're going to win,' " Strickland said. "She said, 'I know you're behind, but when Athens County votes, you're going to win.' "
The anecdote was met with applause by the large crowd at the American Legion, 520 W. Union St. Athens is just one of the counties the former governor will need to win if he is to make up the deficit against his opponent Rob Portman. Portman, the incumbent Republican from Cincinnati, is currently up on Strickland by almost 16 points, according to Real Clear Politics.
Strickland was blunt about the challenge he faces.
"It's going to be tough," he said in an interview before his speech. "I'm not sure I can do it ... but I'm saying I can win if we get our people out to vote. I'm going to fight to the very end and accept whatever the people decide."
In his speech, he criticized Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and said the national Republican Party had "lost its soul." He also drew distinctions between himself and Portman, especially regarding their respective upbringings. Strickland emphasized how he was raised in Lucasville, "part of Appalachia," and grew up in a working class background, while Portman was raised with "a silver spoon in his mouth."
"He can come here, put on his blue jeans, get him a hard hat, walk around for a photo-op and say, 'Oh, I care about the coal miners,' " Strickland said of his opponent. "He doesn't give a damn about the coal miners or Appalachia."
Despite his sagging poll numbers, the crowd was upbeat about Strickland's chances. Athens County Democratic Party Chair John Haseley said he believed Strickland was aligned with Ohioans on the problems facing the state.
"The voters of Ohio agree with him on the issues," Haseley said. "The more they hear what he stands for and what his opponent Rob Portman stands for, they're going to be with Ted Strickland."
One such supporter was Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith.
"I want to see a candidate who has strong union values, and that's primarily why I want to support Ted Strickland," Smith said.
Other local officials in attendance were all three county commissioners — Lenny Eliason, Charlie Adkins and Chris Chmiel — along with state representative candidate Sarah Grace, who thanked the crowd for their support.
Many supporters blamed Strickland's deficit in the polls on outsiders donating millions to the Portman campaign.
"He's behind in the polls because Republicans see him as a real challenger and are pouring millions and millions of dollars into Ohio," Sam Miller, president of Ohio University College Democrats, said.
A plate at the fundraiser cost $25, and the crowd Thursday night was more than 100 people.
"I've always had a special place in my heart for Athens County," Strickland said. "It's one of my favorite places on Earth."
Correction: A previous version of the headline incorrectly stated when Ted Strickland said he was not sure he could beat Rob Portman. The article has been updated to provide the most accurate information.
