A group of prominent Democratic politicians made an appearance in Kent as part of a final-stretch campaign for Ted Strickland Monday.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, First Lady Frances Strickland and wife of Ohio Treasurer, Crystal Boyce, spoke briefly at the Kent Democratic Coordinating Campaign office to energize volunteers campaigning during the last hours before the election.

“So far, momentum is in the Democrats’ direction,” Strickland said. “One of the things they were looking for, for proof of an enthusiasm gap, was the fact that the republicans would out vote us in early voting. Well that didn’t happen. We out voted them at least by 10 percent.”

Brown said students had a lot to lose if Kasich won the gubernatorial race.

“The contrast between Strickland, who has frozen tuition two years, who has worked with President Obama and me and others for increasing Pell Grants and helping people who have school debt pay it back at lower rates…” Brown said, “contrast that with his challenger John Kasich, who is going to get rid of the income tax which means a 40 percent cut in funding for schools, which means tuition goes up.”

Anita Bixenstine, voter contact captain for the KDCC, said the trio’s visit helped invigorate volunteers to encourage as many people as possible to vote today.

“The energy it takes for candidates to travel around the state and communicate is really tremendous,” Bixenstine said. “You know that expression ‘If you don’t vote, don’t complain?’

“Well, if you don’t work for voting, then you can’t complain about influencing the way the vote goes. I’m here to influence the way the vote goes.”

Boyce said Democratic campaign energy is high despite common misconceptions.

“People keep saying there’s no enthusiasm, but we want it,” she said. “It’s because of you people…without you we couldn’t do this.”

Brown, Strickland and Boyce also made stops in Youngstown, Canton and Warren on Monday.

Bixenstine said members of the KDCC will spend the remaining hours before the polls close tonight knocking on doors and making phone calls to encourage voting.

–Ashley Sepanski