By Carl Weiser
Enquirer Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - The Republican takeover of the Senate means that Ohio's and Kentucky's senators - all Republicans - will move up a notch on Congress' clout-o-meter.

And that is likely to mean good news for the Tristate: more federal judges to fill vacancies, more money for local highways, and a possible boost to the local economy, local officials and analysts say.

"It helps to be in the majority," said Ohio's senior senator, Mike DeWine. "You get more money for your state."

Mr. DeWine, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, will take over as chairman of a Senate subcommittee overseeing antitrust and business competition.

Sen. George Voinovich is set to chair the subcommittee that will write one of the most important bills for Ohio next year: legislation spelling out the nation's highway spending for the next six years.

Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., will chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - not a huge help to Indiana, but a prestigious post.

And no one in the delegation will have more power than Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is expected next week to be named GOP whip - the No. 2 Republican in the Senate.

"That's a big deal," said Sen. Jim Bunning, who himself will chair two subcommittees, possibly including one that oversees securities and investment.

The boost in influence will help the Northern Kentucky delegation win money for Northern Kentucky University, local community colleges and the eventual replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge that carries interstates 71 and 75 over the Ohio River, Mr. Bunning said.

Rather than moving up to become the No. 2 man for the Senate's minority party, Mr. McConnell will now be the No. 2 for the Senate's majority party, directly behind Majority Leader Sen. Trent Lott.

"And that is good for all of Kentucky," said Mr. McConnell's campaign manager, Hunter Bates.

One immediate benefit of the Republican takeover: President Bush's nominees for federal judges should have an easier time getting confirmed.

Two Bush nominees for the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Deborah L. Cook and Columbus lawyer Jeffrey Sutton, have been waiting since September 2001 for a confirmation hearing that never came.

"We're going to hold hearings, and we're going to move those nominations right away," Mr. DeWine said.

When Congress convenes next year, it will write a bill spelling out how transportation money will be divided among the states for the next six years.

Ohio repeatedly has complained that it gets back only 88 cents of every dollar in gas taxes it sends to Washington. The state wants more of its money for Ohio projects, and Mr. Voinovich is in a position to make that happen.

"We have to make a strong case for our needs," said Nick Vehr, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce's vice president of economic development. "I think there's a great opportunity now with an even stronger congressional delegation in leadership."

In the House, the Cincinnati area was already well positioned, with Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, chairing the House Education and Workforce Committee and Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, chairing the House leadership.

"Cincinnati's probably going to be in the best position I've seen in my lifetime," said Mr. Voinovich, 66.

Mr. Portman, of Terrace Park, predicted that nationwide, Republicans finally will be able to push through legislation creating a Homeland Security Department and providing prescription drugs for senior citizens.

"The biggest change is with a Republican Senate we have an opportunity to break the gridlock on some key issues, which are important to people in this area," he said.

The rest of Ohio is high on the power ranking: The state boasts two "cardinals," chairmen of spending subcommittees; the chairman of the House Financial Services committee, Rep. Mike Oxley; and the highest ranking Republican woman, Rep. Deborah Pryce.

"We've already got more clout than any state in the union," Mr. Voinovich said. "And you've got Rob Portman's unbelievable relationship with the Bush administration that accrues to the benefit of all of us."

Northern Warren County traded in a member of the minority party and got a new Republican representative, former Dayton Mayor Mike Turner.

He won't have much power as a freshman. His goal is a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, where he can help Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Northern Kentucky re-elected Rep. Ken Lucas, a conservative Democrat. He ruled out switching to the Republican Party, saying he preferred to stick with the party of "average working folks."

As for what the election would mean for Northern Kentucky, Mr. Lucas said: "More of the same. Nothing new."

Business groups suggested the election could help local companies in several ways.

Manufacturers cheered the GOP takeover, saying it could dislodge several business-sought bills now stalled in the Democratic Senate.

One would provide help to companies seeking terrorism insurance; another would help businesses facing asbestos-related litigation, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

However, for local labor leaders, the Republican victory was a worrisome sign.

The Cincinnati Labor Council fears the new Congress will push through cuts for social programs, welfare-to-work efforts, and retraining; roll back safety and health protections for workers, and make big business less accountable.

Email cweiser@gns.gannett.com