While the Republican sweep of Tuesday’s state races has further solidified Ohio’s reputation as a burgeoning conservative stronghold, the trend’s cause is still a matter of debate.

“Republican officials have been elected and re-elected for one reason,” said Chris McNulte, executive director of the Ohio Republican Party. “They’re hardworking, the public trusts them and the records they have established have been important.”

To Democrats, however, one explanation tends to emerge above all others – money. In the gubernatorial race alone, Gov. Bob Taft outdistanced challenger Tim Hagan in fund-raising $12 million to $1.2 million, according to yesterday’s edition of The Columbus Dispatch.

“They can raise more money because they have passed campaign finance laws with loopholes that favor their party,” said Democratic spokesman Brian Rothenberger, referring to Ohio law that allows incumbents to solicit campaign contributions from companies that do business with the state.

Ohio Treasurer Joseph Deters, a Republican who was re-elected Tuesday, came under fire earlier in the campaign season when some suggested he may have made quid pro quo solicitations of an investment-brokerage firm commissioned by his office.

The Republicans’ large fund-raising advantage has nothing to do with cutting corners, McNulte said. “The monetary support for our candidates is reflective of the broad public support they enjoy.”

While raising money is important, strategy and organization may have also helped the GOP win and maintain power.

“(Ohio Republican Party chairman) Bob Bennett has done a great job avoiding divisive primaries,” said Herb Asher, a professor of political science at Ohio State. By positioning strong candidates in different races, Bennett has helped Republican candidates seem unblemished when the general election commences, he said.

Additionally, if a candidate who wants to be governor is successful in gaining a lower office, he or she may have better name recognition when it comes time to organize a gubernatorial campaign. This benefited Taft in 1998 and may one day prove fruitful for Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, Asher said.

Ohio’s embrace of Republican policies may ultimately have more to do with economics than ideology. As with many states in the Great Lakes region, Ohio’s transition from a manufacturing hub to a service and information economy has depleted the ranks of many labor unions, traditionally the core of the Democratic base.

Rothenberger said Democrats have reason to believe they can rebuild what has been lost.

“The fact is, Ohio has fallen behind in many major categories under Republican leadership,” he said. “The lack of debate has led to stagnation in the economy and in our higher education system. Democrats can work together and forge a plan to come back in 2004 and 2006.”

However, some observers of Ohio’s political scene are skeptical.

“Once you get yourself in such a hole, you have to work hard to get yourself out,” Asher said. “If this year is any indication, (Democrats) haven’t done a very good a job.”