The religious right has been a rising force in Ohio politics for many years. But an anti-gay marriage ballot initiative called Issue One in 2004 became the catalyst for a new and renewed religious right movement in the state. Rev. Rod Parsley's organization Reformation Ohio, and Rev. Russell Johnson's Ohio Restoration Project are both dedicated to mobilizing voters this year, and for the foreseeable future. They are particularly focused on electing Ken Blackwell, the current GOP candidate for governor.

While polls currently show Blackwell well-behind in the governor's race, three months is an eternity in politics. But even if Blackwell loses (after all, it does appear to be a strong Democratic year), the religious right can win, even in losing. Barry Goldwater's losing campaign for president in 1964 is credited with galvanizing the modern conservative movement. And Pat Robertson's earlier organization, the Freedom Council provided a base for his unsuccessful effort to get the 1988 GOP nomination for president, which