By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

David Grossmann (right), Republican candidate for Hamilton County commissioner, talks with Bill Schmidt during a meeting of the Delhi Township Republican Club Tuesday evening. (Steven M. Herppich photo)

DELHI TWP. - On an icy evening when meetings and classes across Greater Cincinnati have been canceled, 30 Delhi Township Republicans are sitting at long tables listening to six of the seven candidates who want their votes for Hamilton County commissioner.

"It's a good, solid field," audience member Mike Davis, a Delhi Township trustee, says afterward. "It's a tough decision for voters."

The party's rank-and-file in this west side township and across Hamilton County will have unprecedented choices March 2 in the primaries for two commission seats. They want to know what politicians will do about taxes, crime, and the county's loss of jobs and population.

"It's a critical time in the county with all that's going on," says Republican Gloria Morgan, an activist from East Price Hill.

It's also the first time longtime political observers can remember having a contested GOP primary for a county office.

Five Republicans are competing for the chance to challenge Democratic Commissioner Todd Portune in November: Blue Ash Councilman Jim Sumner, Anderson Township Trustee Russ Jackson, retired Judge David Grossmann, former Cincinnati Councilman Chris Monzel and financial planner Sandra Faith Hall.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Two forums will give voters a chance to hear from GOP candidates for commissioner: Feb. 11, 7 p.m., Nathanael Greene Lodge, 6394 Wesselman Road, Green Township. Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road. Also, the Northeast Hamilton County Republican Club will conduct a straw poll at its pancake breakfast 9 a.m. Feb. 14. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 891-5441.

Even more extraordinary, Cincinnati Councilman Pat DeWine is challenging incumbent Commissioner John Dowlin - a fellow Republican - in the other race. The county's historic Republican voting patterns suggest this primary is tantamount to the general election, especially given that the two Democratic candidates for the seat - Kabaka Oba of Lincoln Heights and Erich Streckfuss of Westwood - have little name recognition.

Voters will have several more shots at candidates via forums being held over the next month.

"If I don't meet you, I'm not going to consider you," Morgan says. "We have to know who we're putting in office."

Some Republicans know who they will vote for, but many more say they're still undecided. These are the issues they are listening for:

• Taxes.

"I've seen my taxes go up and up and up," Andy Maxson, 35, of Blue Ash says. "I wonder where this money is going because nothing seems to change."

"I think we're paying an inordinate amount of taxes," says Dorothy Hara, 80, of Dillonvale.

• Loss of people and jobs.

"We need to keep businesses in our county," said Joseph Jones, 39, of Delhi. "We're losing too many jobs."

• Crime.

"People want to feel safe in their homes," Davis said.

Part and parcel of that is supporting law enforcement, said James Bogen, 30, president of the Blue Chip Young Republicans.

"There's a concern among young Republicans about public officials who aren't willing to stand up against anti-police groups," he said.

• Suburban representation.

"If you have somebody from the suburbs, they see the suburban problems," said Patty Taylor, 57, of Sharonville. "(City residents') priority is making Cincinnati a very successful area. But you have to look at the big picture, also."

East Price Hill's Morgan wants a commissioner who will be his or her own person.

"The issue changes every day," she says. "You can ask all the questions in the world today and tomorrow it might change."

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com