Ohio senate vote count photograph

Photograph showing two women before a results board for the 1968 Democratic primary. John Gilligan defeated incumbent U.S. Senator (and former Ohio Governor) Frank Lausche for the Democratic nomination, but later lost to Republican William Saxbe in the general election. Gilligan started his political career in 1953 when he campaigned and won a seat in the Cincinnati City Council. Later, Gilligan ran for the United States House of Representatives and served for one term. However, he was not re-elected and suffered two more political defeats in running for the United States Senate. Despite these failed campaigns, Gilligan won the office of Governor of Ohio in 1971. He served as governor until 1975. His term as governor is remembered for several successes, the beginning of the state lottery, the graduated state income tax, the voting age lowered to eighteen, and an improved transportation infrastructure. After his term, Gilligan focused his political efforts towards international development and also taught at the collegiate level. Influenced by her father's political career and ambitions, Kathleen Gilligan served as governor of Kansas from 2003 until 2009. Under President Barack Obama, she was appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services