MAINEVILLE -- Roseann Siderits' kitchen bustled last Tuesday night with Republicans searching for a 6th District congressional candidate who shares their conservative views.
With a month to go before the May 5 primary, time is dwindling for the GOP to anoint a candidate with the money, charisma and tenacity to win back the seat from incumbent Democrat Ted Strickland.
Five Republicans are seeking the party nod: Lt. Gov. Nancy Hollister, former U.S. Rep. Frank Cremeans, insurance salesman Michael Azinger, English professor Tom Sharpe and Grant Brown, an accountant from Chillicothe. The 14-county district has bounced from Democrat to Republican representation three times since 1992.
With a letter circulating on Mrs. Hollister's behalf from Gov. George Voinovich and thousands of dollars in contributions from state and national GOP leaders, Mrs. Hollister clearly has the party hierarchy behind her.
"It's very clear that government and legislators in the district support us," said Chris Baldwin, Mrs. Hollister's campaign manager. "It's not power-broker politics. It's two things. It's one, that Republicans want a solid candidate and they see that in Nancy; and two, they want the seat back. They want someone who can beat Strickland. Nancy can beat Ted Strickland."
But Mr. Cremeans' tepid campaign got a big boost Monday when he announced he has been endorsed by Ohio Right To Life.
"I believe that 6th District voters, as a whole, oppose abortion and deserve a pro-life congressman," said Mr. Cremeans, who also opposes same-sex marriages. His family-values brand of conservatism has also earned him the endorsement of the Ohio Family Association PAC (political action committee.)
In Warren County, which anchors the southwestern end of the district, more conservative members of the party are split between Mr. Cremeans and Mr. Azinger.
Mrs. Hollister has received $5,000 contributions from the leadership political action committees of U.S. Rep. John Boehner of Butler County's Union Township and U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce of Columbus.
Mrs. Hollister's campaign also has accepted $1,000 apiece from five Ohio legislators, as well as endorsements from Gov. Voinovich and Ohio Rep. George Terwilleger, R-Maineville.
"Nancy's been in Warren County a half-a-dozen times this year," said Mr. Terwilleger. "I have faith in her ability to understand local government issues. She won't forget where Warren County is."
But for the 50 guests mingling inside Mrs. Siderits' kitchen last week, Mrs. Hollister and her support for abortion rights are not an option.
"We lean more toward the conservative right-to-life side," said Linda Prince of Mason.
Like many others attending the meet-and-greet for Mr. Azinger, she said she was waiting to hear him speak before deciding whether to support him or stick with Mr. Cremeans.
Most of Mrs. Siderits' guests had once supported Mr. Cremeans, who captured the seat from Mr. Strickland in 1994. But some said their faith in Mr. Cremeans' electability has slipped since he lost the rematch in 1996.
"Frank has some communications problems and some management problems with his campaign structure," said Mrs. Siderits, a stay-at-home mother who dedicated thousands of hours campaigning for Mr. Cremeans in his two previous campaigns.
"He squeaked in in 1994; 1996 was another squeaker, and he didn't make it. I like Frank, but he's a weak candidate."
Mr. Cremeans acknowledges the challenging odds, but says his record proves his strength.
"I'm bucking Columbus and Washington. I'm the underdog here," Mr. Cremeans said from his campaign office in his hometown of Gallipolis. "But elections are about contrasts, and I contrast with Ted Strickland. I'm the only candidate that has already beaten the incumbent, and I'm the only candidate that can do it again."
Back in Mrs. Siderits' home, guests sat on the floor, couches, stood shoulder to shoulder in the hallway and listened attentively to Mr. Azinger.
Mr. Azinger, 32, of Marietta said the nation has lost the value of work, education and life. He talked about his grass-roots following and his Christian education.
"I got into this thing because I thought our nation is in a moral dilemma," Mr. Azinger said. "President Clinton has lowered the bar of every moral law we have . . . because he's unable to control himself."
He won over most of the guests.
"I'm going to support Mike," said Lee Speidel of Deerfield Township. "Frank did a good job, but Mike's maybe our future." Meanwhile, asked if she's already primed for the November general election, Mrs. Hollister paused before answering.
"I definitely think Frank and Mike are duking it out for some of the same votes, and they're battling for second place," she said.
