The Democratic primary for the new 33rd Ohio House District pits two well-known political names with almost identical elective experience and few differences on issues.

        Both Minette Cooper and Tyrone Yates have served on Cincinnati City Council — Ms. Cooper since 1995, and Mr. Yates from 1990 to 1999. Both served as vice mayor for four years.

        Both talk about the same issues: education, health care and job training.

        The difference, the candidates agree, is in how they approach those issues.

        “I've been the only candidate in the race to talk about the specifics of the broad range of issues,” said Mr. Yates, a lawyer who now works as a public defender in juvenile court. “When you talk about education, what does that mean? I will work to raise state support for schools from 38th in the nation to at least within the top 10 of states.”

        Ms. Cooper, a former teacher, puts it differently.

        “I think a better distinction is that he comes with a firm idea, and I come with an open mind,” she said. “I have always tried to get as much input as possible, because I don't know everything.”

        Also in the race is Leroy Hopkins Jr., an educator from Bond Hill who has twice run unsuccessfully for the Cincinnati Board of Education. He was unavailable to be interviewed.

        With the Hamilton County Democratic Party and labor groups staying out of the primary, the only high-powered endorsements are personal stamps of approval from top Democrats.

        Mr. Yates' campaign committee is chaired by former Gov. John Gilligan and basketball hall-of-famer Oscar Robertson. Ms. Cooper has the endorsement of Mayor Charlie Luken and every Democrat now on City Council.

        The winner of the Democratic primary will face Sandy Hall, a former Deer Park councilwoman who is unopposed in the Republican primary, in November.

        The new 33rd District, redrawn after the 2000 Census, most closely resembles the 30th District held by state Rep. Sam Britton, D-Madisonville. He is in his last term because of term limits.

        The district includes northern and eastern Cincinnati neighborhoods such as Evanston, Walnut Hills, Bond Hill, Kennedy Heights and Pleasant Ridge, and the suburbs of Norwood, St. Bernard, Deer Park, Silverton, Golf Manor and Elmwood Place.

Elder teacher's abuse case not disclosed to school
3rd-party checks examined in Erpenbeck probe
Lawrenceburg celebrates bicentennial this weekend
Relatives baffled by stabbing
Roach hiring still engulfs Evendale
Man accused of lying about gun
McNUTT: Tornado reminders issued
RADEL: The paint that graced Ohio's barns'
SAMPLES: Show biz keeps them together
Group to rally in support of Sabis International School
Rory Kennedy to lecture here
Local Digest
Murder conviction overturned
Raussen gets GOP support second time around
Yates, Cooper disagree on little in Ohio House race
Congrats
Mother gets 4 years in girl's death
Butler Co. cleanup today
Expo gives college view
Fairfield shows off art
Former official charged again
Jeep-bus collision kills man
Two GOP races generating interest
Clermont commissioner candidates familiar
Deputy loses job over sexual comments
'No call' signup deadline earlier
Pryor guilty in pilot's slaying
Ruby revives old Tropicana
Teen theater troupe focuses on youth smoking
Boy: Cafeteria workers put him in freezer
Cleveland airport terminals closed
Farm managers find fewer foal deaths
School settles lawsuit over boy's death
Town wants to slow golf carts