COLUMBUS — Two years ago, Jim Raussen was the candidate for state representative GOP leaders didn't want. A lot has changed. In his second bid for the Ohio House, Mr. Raussen is the party's favorite. In Tuesday's Republican primary, Mr. Raussen faces Doug Mink, a Reading High School substitute teacher and former congressional aide who says he's running against the party establishment.

        “It comes down to this: Do (voters) want a yes man or a person who will do what's right?” Mr. Mink said. “I think I'll stand up for the people, where I don't think he would.”

        That rhetoric surprises Mr. Raussen, who feels nothing has changed since he beat GOP-endorsed candidate and Princeton school board member Tawana Keels Simons in the 2000 primary.

        “Here is a Washingtonian telling me I'm an establishment person,” Mr. Raussen said. “That's the most ironic thing I've ever heard.”

        One thing that has changed is the House leadership. New Speaker Larry Householder, a Republican from Glenford, pledged his support early for Mr. Raussen.

        A secretly taped conversation between Mr. Mink and Mr. Householder's chief of staff raised questions about whether African-American voters were improperly reapportioned out of the election district in an effort to help Mr. Raussen win.

        Mr. Raussen lost a close race to Democrat Wayne Coates of Forest Park in the 2000 general election.

        Mr. Raussen, 31, lives in Springdale with his wife, Tara, and is a senior claims analyst for Great American Insurance Co. A former Hamilton Township trustee, he has a bachelor's degree in political science from Xavier University.

        Mr. Mink is 26, single, and was an intern for U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, a Terrace Park Republican, and a staff worker for U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Texas Republican. The Sharonville resident has a bachelor's degree in political science from Xavier and a master's in political management from George Washington University.

        Both Mr. Mink and Mr. Raussen oppose abortion rights. They would both let Ohioans carry concealed weapons with some restrictions, such as training or permits.

        Education reform is Mr. Mink's No. 1 priority.

        “My background and training as an educator lets me know what's going on in schools and to better know what would help them,” he said.

        Mr. Raussen said economic development and jobs are key for Southwest Ohio.

        “(The economy) affects the crime rate in our neighborhoods, the funding of our schools, even the quality of our health care,” he said.

        Mr. Raussen also supports limiting lawsuits and jury awards to help businesses get a handle on insurance costs.

        Mr. Mink says he favors enhancing state and local security efforts and he wants to help safeguard Ohio against terrorism.

        Mr. Raussen said he's confident voters will see through his opponent's attempt to paint him as a party insider.

        “We were as grass-roots as blades of grass,” he said of his 2000 campaign. “I still like to think of us that way. I just happen to have people with bigger titles now who believe in me, that's all.”

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