CLEVELAND, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's lead over U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich appears to be widening --and the tone in the two candidate's camps for the Ohio 9th Congressional district seems to reflect that.

Kaptur spoke to a crowd in Toledo, giving a speech that had all the excitement of a victory speech with just a hint of doubt of the outcome.

Kucinich thanked his supporters in a short speech at Rubin's deli on Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, but the crowd quieted down as they heard results about his opponent.

"The numbers that we are getting in right now show we are moving towards 75 percent in Cuyahoga County," the representative said.

"We think we will end up in Lorain County with about a split," he added.

"But the rest of the numbers do not look good, I just have to tell you that."

Still, Kucinich vowed to fight on and said he was not ready to concede the race to Kaptur.

According to the

Kaptur had about 54 percent of the vote, while Kucinich lagged with about 42 percent.

An earlier analysis of the voter turnout showed, however, that more of the vote has already been counted in Kaptur's home county of Lucas, compared to Kucinich's stronghold of Cuyahoga.

The battle between the two political veterans took place in the new 9th Congressional District. It stretches along the Lake Erie shoreline.

The once-friendly colleagues had been embroiled in a fight for several months, but last week, things got even testier as a

paying for television ads that hammered away at Kaptur.

The

of Cleveland debate, Kucinich saying that Kaptur has resorted to "swift-boat-type advertising tactics" in a TV ad and Kaptur claiming that nd mayor's failure to get anything meaningful accomplished.

Political newcomer

, 29, a Cleveland entrepreneur, had a disappointing showing. Veysey who has presented himself as a change of pace with fresh ideas to solve problems such as poverty and the national deficit.

Veysey's video production company produced a

A

, however, said that Kaptur's campaign was agitated because as many as several dozen voters apparently incorrectly received ballots for the 5th Congressional District instead of the 9th Congressional District.

Previous Plain Dealer coverage

Kaptur-Kucinich: Acrimonious battle down to the final hours in new 9th District

For Dennis Kucinich, a day of destiny: Joe Frolik column

Marcy Kaptur-Dennis Kucinich primary battle is one of the 5 'ugliest' in Congress, says Politico

Blue-collar roots guide Marcy Kaptur's folksy -- and occasionally fiery -- career in Congress

Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich hit campaign trail with Hispanic colleagues

Rep. Dennis Kucinich raises more money than Rep. Marcy Kaptur in weeks before primary

Lorain County issues take center stage in battle between Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Marcy Kaptur

She also enjoyed a slice of cheesecake earlier in the day. At midday, she went to Pearl and Memphis to a food wholesaler called Slices, where few weeks ago she had a key lime cheesecake and decided she had to track down the shop and owner Efti Simakis.

"It was the most elegant desert I’ve ever eaten," she said. "I took a bite of that and said who did this. This is the kind of business I want to grow."

She also spend time at the Democratic headquarters in Lorain, making phone calls to probable voters.

She said many people were skeptical it was really her and thought it was a "robo call."

Reporters Thomas Ott and Stan Donaldson contributed to this story.