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In a state where fast food is now the biggest employer, Ohio's proposed collective bargaining law was defeated this week.
In a political blow to GOP Gov. John Kasich, voters rejected the law which would have limited the bargaining abilities of 350,000 unionized public workers.
Voters rejected the proposal by about 61%.
With nearly 95 percent of the votes counted late Tuesday, about 61 percent were to reject the law.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, among the many union leaders who hailed the outcome, said victory was achieved among Democrats and Republicans in urban and rural counties.
"Ohio sent a message to every politician that making war on your employees... you do so at your own peril," Trumka said.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern, speaking about Gov. Kasich said, "He literally thought he knew more than everyone else," saying the vote was a referendum on his political future.
Labor and business interests poured more than $30 million into the nationally watched campaign on both sides of the issue, and turnout was high for an off-year election.
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