Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is fighting for re-election. (Creative Commons)

The polls closed in Ohio, but the state's gubernatorial race, crucial and highly contested, may not see a winner for weeks.  People are already talking about a recount. 

The race between Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and Republican Jon Kasich has been a rough one, and the latest Quinnipiac University poll showed the candidates almost neck and neck, with Kasich ahead 47 percent to 46 percent – a significant change from a few months ago, when Kasich was polling comfortably ahead. The Ohio Secretary of State said that if the ballot counts are as close as it seems like they will be, it won’t be a surprise if this election heads to court.

But former President Bill Clinton doesn’t want to let it get to that, apparently. Clinton called in to four Ohio radio stations today to urge voters to get to the polls and vote for Strickland. Clinton also stumped for Strickland on Sunday, and Ohio was President Barack Obama’s final stop of the campaign season, too. (Ohio has several contentious House races, in addition to the governor’s race.) 

It's a particularly important gubernatorial race because governors elected this year will have a say in how their states redistrict. Ohio is likely to lose two congressional seats, and, as CNN explains: "the governor has a say in which party will feel that pain."

Meanwhile the state's senate race ended instantly with Republican Rob Portman as the state's new senator over his opponent Democrat Lee Fisher, whose campaign gave up months ago.

Reach news editor Alexandra Tilsley here. Follow her on Twitter: @atilsley.

Reach staff reporter Ryan Lee Kindel here. Follow him on Twitter: @ryanleekindel.

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