Senator Sherrod Brown

Both of Ohio’s U.S. senators are now on the oldest and arguably most powerful committee in the Senate – finance. For Ohio Public Radio, WKSU’s M.L. Schultze reports that could bode well for Ohio.

Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Rob Portman are among the 20 senators who will be taking the closest look at everything from taxes to trade agreements, Medicare, Social Security and the overall economic well-being at the United States.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown says he'll promote more campaign finance disclosure after prevailing in Tuesday's election against close to $40 million in undisclosed outside spending.

The Democrat said he received dozens of congratulatory calls from colleagues after keeping his seat despite the heaviest onslaught of third-party cash in the nation. Brown beat Republican Josh Mandel in the closely watched race.

Brown said his victory proved well-funded industries seeking favor in Washington can't intimidate a Congress member who has a strong middle-class message.

President Barack Obama has won Ohio again, capturing the swing state after a hard-fought battle with Republican Mitt Romney. Obama, who also won Ohio in 2008, claims the swing state's 18 electoral votes on his way to an electoral victory nationwide.

A long and contentious battle for the Ohio Senate has ended in a victory for incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown.  Even as late as Monday though, the latest Rasmussen poll showed that Josh Mandel had some a long way in closing the gap with Brown.  He was just down 2 points among likely voters.

The three debates held by the candidates, could at least be described as 'heated,' and at times vitriolic, but in the end, Brown prevailed in yesterday's election by a fairly wide margin, 50.36% - 45.05%, despite reports of big outside money coming in to Mandel's campaign.

In the Ohio race, incumbent Sherrod Brown defeated Republican State Treasurer Josh Mandel.

Former Dayton Daily News editor Ellen Belcher says when Mandel decided to run against Brown, not many people gave him a chance - but when money started pouring in, the tide started turning.

"Its been up and down and there were moments when people thought Sherrod Brown could actually lose this. I think this is one of those times where those who think that money can't buy an election are proven right," says Belcher.

The candidates in Ohio's U.S. Senate race are preparing to meet in the final debate of their heated campaign.

Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and GOP state Treasurer Josh Mandel face off again Thursday evening in a Cincinnati TV studio. In Columbus last week, Mandel called Brown a liar, and Brown said the Republican can't be trusted.

Mandel has depicted the 59-year-old veteran Democrat as a career Washington politician, while Brown has described his 35-year-old challenger as opportunistic and more concerned about his next office than doing the job in the one he has.

A new poll indicates President Barack Obama's lead in Ohio has dwindled, but he is getting strong support from women.

The Quinnipiac University/CBS News poll released today put the Democratic president ahead of Republican Mitt Romney 50 percent to 45.  Obama led 55-40 among women and Romney 51-44 among men.  Romney led independent voters 49-42 percent.

Romney had more support among white voters, while blacks were heavily for Obama in the poll.  A Quinnipiac survey Sept 26 had shown Obama with a 10-point lead.