Thursday, June 17, 1999
Dems ask Mallory to go against Chabot
Congressional seat up for vote next November
BY MICHAEL HAWTHORNE
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
Mark Mallory
|
COLUMBUS — Seven months after decisively winning a state Senate seat, Democrat Mark Mallory is being recruited to run next year against U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot.
Mr. Mallory confirmed Wednesday that several Democratic congressmen have urged him to run against Mr. Chabot, a three-term Republican who survived a challenge last year from Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls.
National Democrats plan to target Ohio's 1st Congressional District again next year as they try to capture six seats and regain control of the House.
“I haven't ruled it out,” said Mr. Mallory, who does not have to run for re-election to his state Senate seat until 2002.
Mr. Mallory's upset of Republican incumbent Janet How ard was one of the few bright spots for Hamilton County Democrats in last year's elections. Outspent 3-to-1, Mr. Mallory won with 59 percent of the vote.
Democrats think Mr. Chabot is vulnerable in part because he was one of 13 House Republicans who made the case for President Clinton's impeachment at a Senate trial earlier this year.
But in the furor leading up to the impeachment vote, Mr. Chabot beat back a challenge from Ms. Qualls, who had coasted to another term as mayor the year before.
Like Ms. Qualls, Mr. Mallory and other Democrats could face trouble in suburban areas, which make up 60 percent of the congressional district. Ms. Qualls won city wards in the district last year but lost in the suburbs.
“We will be looking very hard at that district,” said John Del Cecato, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “We think 2000 will be a different political environment because it's a presidential year and turnout will be higher among traditional Democrats.”
It's unclear whether Ms. Qualls will run again. Other Democrats considered for the race include Councilmen Todd Portune and Dwight Tillery and Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes.
Mr. Mallory mentioned another potential contender: former Congressman Charlie Luken, who stepped down this week as anchor of WLWT (Channel 5) to run for city council.
After three campaigns in which organized labor and national Demo crats targeted him for defeat, Mr. Chabot is expecting another fight in 2000.
“Mine is a district they always go after,” he said recently. “They always throw a lot of money at it.”
Hotel tax hike to aid Sabin
Grade 4 reading scores improve
4th-graders test better overall
Students tested in March
City, schools agree to $100 million plan
Democrats ask Mallory to go against Rep. Chabot
Parking hits $10 at some downtown garages
Pregnant teens have loving home
Sending warmth to Kosovo
Drive-in heading to court
Love expresses surprise at notoriety
Lucas backs delay on car emissions test
Mass-transit agencies join forces to get ready for light rail
Picketing Teamster faces assault charge
With canes, he's able
Erich Kunzel pops with enthusiasm
Local girls take message about diabetes to Washington
Raising big bucks is as easy as HUC
GET TO IT
Older, wiser Deters back in politics
13 want chance to run schools in Lebanon
4 police officers honored
Bus route to mall will be discussed
City in no rush to hire administrator
Elder-Beerman reopening delayed
Florence has new police team
Florence says farewell to truck stop
Lakota Online looks at selling ads
Lincoln Court plan is object of suit
Man dies in fiery crash
New building brings life to sciences
Ohio studies ways to spend budget surplus
Owners, developers sue in zoning denial
Panel to support hillside rules
Parish Kitchen marks 25 years of dishing out respect
Top road improvements identified for Boone Co.
Toyota donates $20,500 to Blue Ash tornado relief
TRISTATE DIGEST
Western land-use plan proving hard sell
