George Voinovich Passed Away!

George Voinovich the former U.S. senator and governor from Ohio passed away in Cleveland.

Former U.S. senator and governor of Ohio George Voinovich passed away today. His family confirmed that the former lawmaker died peacefully in his sleep.

He died a few weeks shy of his 80th birthday.

Voinovich was one of the most popular lawmakers in the state. He was a politically moderate at best.

He was then the mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. Probably one of the last Republican mayors of the city.

Voinovich served two terms as Ohio Governor in the 1990s and two terms in the U.S. Senate, capping a political career that started in 1963 and led him to the Cleveland mayor's office on his way to the governor's office and then Washington. He was 79.

Voinovich earned a reputation as a tightwad during his years in office, especially as governor from 1991 to 1999.

Voinovich with his predecessor Rob Portman. Portman is the current U.S. Senator for Ohio.

He shined his own shoes, bought his clothes on sale, and when he learned public money was used to buy snacks served on state airplanes, he banned the snacks. He also sold one of the state's airplanes.

He was slated to be a delegate for the Republican National Convention in the city.

His predecessor is Rob Portman, the former Bush official who was also a U.S. representative from Cincinnati.

Right now, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and former Ohio governor Ted Strickland both are facing off for the U.S. senate race for the state. Ohio's leans determine who may become the next President of the United States.

Of course, Voinovich was mentioned by the two in their prayers to his family.

Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama won the state and the presidency.

Ohio and Florida are the most hotly contested races for 2016. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton is hoping to win these states. The states are the key to winning the presidency.

Portman is also facing a tougher race also. But the state's leanings may be in his favor. Strickland is not getting name recognition and his term as governor was mirrored in failure. He's got an uphill battle to win this.

OHIO in the U.S. Senate race is LEANING REPUBLICAN.

World News Today send our condolences to the family of George Voinovich. This the last speech Voinovich given before he passed away.