COLUMBUS — Republican U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine trounced Democratic challenger Ted Celeste on Tuesday.

        With 74 percent of precincts reporting, Mr. DeWine captured 61 percent of the vote, leading Mr. Celeste 1,953,139 votes to 1,134,951.

        “As long as I am in the Senate I will work to make a difference; I will not waste a moment, I will not waste a day,” a smiling Mr. DeWine promised during a speech at the Hyatt Regency downtown Tuesday evening.

        Mr. DeWine said he will work to reform Social Security and secure money for medical research for children.

        And “I will continue to worry about the half-a-million foster children going to bed in someone else's home,” he said.

        The race had been so financially one-sided that Mr. Celeste couldn't afford to air a single television ad.

        Mr. DeWine, meanwhile, spent millions.

        As he returns to Capitol Hill for his second Senate term, Mr. DeWine said he plans to make education and other children's issues top priorities.

        He said there is a crisis in education and has called for improved teacher training.

        Mr. DeWine in addition said it's critical to reform Medicare and provide pre scription drug relief to seniors. He also supports a patients' bill of rights.

        Mr. Celeste, 54, a Columbus real-estate broker, has never held political office, although he managed a campaign for his brother, former Gov. Richard Celeste.

        Mr. DeWine, a former lieutenant governor, congressman and state lawmaker, won his seat the first time around with 53 percent of the vote in a heated 1994 campaign against Joel Hyatt, son-in-law of the man Mr. DeWine replaced — Sen. Howard Metzenbaum.

        At 53, Mr. DeWine has been a moderate lawmaker who has worked to streamline federal job training programs, give states more flexibility in helping welfare recipients find work and pushed for laws designed to encourage more adoptions.

        Libertarian candidate John R. McAlister captured 3 percent of the vote (86,976), while National Labor Party candidate John A. Eastman garnered 2 percent (52,917).

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