Strickland's victory speech: 'Turnaround Ohio'

The Democratic gubernatorial nominee, U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, shakes hands with people in the crowd during a primary night celebration in Columbus. (Photo by Terry Gilliam/The Associated Press)

U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland offered the following statement after being declared the winner of the Democratic primary for governor:

I am honored and humbled to accept the Democratic nomination to be Ohio's next governor. I look forward to the weeks and months ahead as we will take to the people a bold and comprehensive vision to return Ohio to greatness.

Right now in Ohio we have a leadership that seems to have given up on Ohio. Under their leadership, we've seen our great state buried under an avalanche of scandal, corruption, and, at times, criminal activity.

Ohio Democrats are united around a clear, workable plan called Turnaround Ohio to get our great state moving in the right direction.

Turnaround Ohio aims to keep and grow the jobs we have by investing in Ohio's strengths - like energy production, high-tech manufacturing and small businesses - and the plan will bring the jobs of the future by reforming education from pre-school through college, because, in the future, jobs will go where the workforce is best educated.

Our mission to restore Ohio to its rightful place as one of the greatest states in the nation starts tonight. Our mission to restore the hope to our state that has for too long been mired in cynicism and despair starts tonight. Our mission to Turnaround Ohio starts tonight.

We have faith in the future of Ohio because we believe in the people of Ohio. There is nothing wrong with our state that can't be fixed with our hard work, our passion, and our creativity.

I am deeply thankful for this opportunity to work with Ohioans across our state in the weeks and months to come to turnaround our great state.