Steve Chabot, the Republican incumbent in the 1st District congressional race, is getting financial help from a source he could never have expected -- the former Democratic congressman from the 1st District, Thomas Luken.
This month, Mr. Luken, who held the seat 16 years before his retirement in 1990, wrote a $100 check to the Chabot for Congress campaign. Mr. Luken said he has not done the same for the Democratic candidate, Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls, a fellow Democrat with whom he had a running feud when Mr. Luken came back from Washington and served on council for one term.
"Steve's a straight-shooter. I respect him," Mr. Luken said. What makes the Luken contribution especially curious is Mr. Chabot -- then a Cincinnati councilman -- was Mr. Luken's GOP opponent in the Democrat's last congressional election 10 years ago.
In 1988, Mr. Luken easily defeated Mr. Chabot.
Backing for Hollister: Although some staunch opponents of abortion in Warren County say they'll sit out the 6th District congressional race, the candidate they supported in the primary is ready to endorse Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Hollister.
Michael Azinger is expected to announce his support for Mrs. Hollister Friday at Warren County Republican Headquarters in Lebanon.
Mr. Azinger, a political newcomer from Marietta, captured 21 percent of the vote in the five-way primary in May.
His strong opposition to abortion, a main component of his campaign, contrasts with Mrs. Hollister's position that abortion is a private matter.
Campaign Notebook is compiled by the staff of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
