Well, there are some valid reasons for that. There's no question that Blackwell is more conservative than Petro on social issues. And I think he'd be a much better Senator than Petro because he's much more reliably conservative on national issues.
For governor, though, administrative competence is extremely important. A "right" thinking guy who can't manage his way out of a paper bag would make a terrible governor.
Ohio state government is in terrible shape. There are overlapping agencies, lousy accountability, etc. It's screaming for someone who knows how to manage well to clean it up. And personally -- though I voted for Blackwell -- I think Petro would do a better job at that. He actually understands that stuff, and has been advocating for some much needed reforms for a number of years. And he's got the administrative track record of showing that he gets the job done.
I voted for Blackwell primarily because I think Petro can't win. He'd have gotten (mostly unfairly) smeared by the Taft/Noe problems because he comes across as just another one of those white establishment Republicans in the state, and that's not a good image here right now. Blackwell can separate from Taft much better than can Petro.
I also prefer Blackwell because I think he's more focused in than Petro on really easing the business climate in this state. My trepidation with him is that while I think he's philosophically in the right place, philosophy isn't enough in the governor's house if you don't have the administrative skills.
I've also got some concern that while the bull in the china shop approach may make some of us feel better, its meaningless unless accompanied by the ability to get legislation enacted. I'm not sure how good Ken is going to be in that regard because he's almost gone out of his way to alienate a lot of people whose support he'll need to get legislation through.
Alienating corrupt Republican insiders is not a negative in any way, IMO. He's a leader.........and he'll lead.