For Fudge, a Democrat who defeated Republican businessman Thomas Pekarek in the heavily Democratic 11th District, the victory was bittersweet because of the loss of Tubbs Jones. But "I know that she's smiling and happy," Fudge said as she celebrated Tuesday night at the Laborers Local 310 hall in Cleveland . "I want to make her proud and her legacy something that we'll never forget."
Fudge said she hopes to work as part of the Democratic majority in Congress toward solving the country's economic and housing problems.
"I look forward to working on creating a real future, not just being reactionary," she said.
The other new member of Northeast Ohio's congressional delegation remained in doubt at press time as Democrat John Boccieri of Alliance held a slight lead in a much more competitive race with Republican Kirk Schuring of Canton for the seat of retiring Republican Ralph Regula. The district includes southern Medina County , Wayne , Stark and part of Ashland County .
Incumbent Congress members in Northeast Ohio won easy victories.
In western Cuyahoga County , Cleveland Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich turned back an underfunded challenge from former county GOP Chairman Jim Trakas of Independence .
Republican Rep. Steve LaTourette of Bainbridge Township beat Democrat William O'Neill, a former appeals court judge from South Russell, to retain his seat in Ohio 's northeastern corner.
Freshman Democratic Rep. Betty Sutton of Copley Township easily defeated Republican David Potter, a medical devices salesman from Strongsville , in a district that stretches from Lorain to Summit County .
Rep. Tim Ryan, a Niles Democrat who represents a district that includes parts of Mahoning, Portage , Summit and Trumbull counties, cruised to victory over Republican Duane V. Grassell, a high school math teacher from Mogadore. In a district that includes southern Lorain County , longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo defeated repeat GOP challenger Bradley Leavitt, a Toledo steelworker. Plain Dealer reporters Olivera Perkins and Angela Townsend contributed to this report.