By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hamilton County Commissioner John Dowlin (right) shares a laugh with Commissioner Todd Portune during a commissioners' meeting Wednesday morning. The Cincinnati Enquirer/GARY LANDERS

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune is ready to face the judge.

Barely 12 hours after retired Juvenile Court Judge David Grossmann won the Republican nomination to challenge Portune, the Democrat was already formulating strategy Wednesday.

"I think we should be about bringing people together," Portune, 45, said. Grossmann "has clearly said that he only wants to represent an extreme conservative viewpoint."

Grossmann, 75, of Springfield Township grabbed 40 percent of the vote in Tuesday's five-way GOP primary. He outspent the other four on TV and newspaper ads that stressed his opposition to abortion and gay marriage.

The Grossmann race was overshadowed by the contest between Commissioner John Dowlin and fellow Republican Pat DeWine. DeWine's overwhelming victory probably ended any suspense in that race in the fall, although Democrats plan to replace their nominee, University of Cincinnati student Erich Streckfuss, with a better-known candidate.

Portune is the first Democrat elected commissioner since 1964. The Westwood resident ousted GOP incumbent Bob Bedinghaus in 2000 largely on a wave of resentment over construction of Paul Brown Stadium.

Portune said he likes his chances for re-election, citing the on-time and under-budget construction of Great American Ball Park and the recent effort to clean up flooded basements.

He is ready to start campaigning. About 400 people attended his kickoff fund-raiser at the Vernon Manor Hotel a week ago.

Grossmann, fresh off a whirlwind two-month campaign, said Wednesday he will take some time to plan strategy.

"You don't run in March for an election in November," he said. "The public wants a little break."

His conservative views are principles he won't change, Grossmann said, although the focus of his campaign might shift.

"I'm not planning to change my spots," he said.

Raising campaign money will be a priority for both Grossmann and Portune in coming months. Portune said he expects to reach $100,000 in his campaign chest with a fund-raiser this morning. Grossmann had spent $89,000 - most of it his own money - in his primary race by mid-February.

The Republican Party, bruised by the DeWine-Dowlin fight, was quick to get behind Grossmann.

"Judge Grossmann has a lot of experience in political and elected office and has good name ID," county party Chairman Michael Barrett said as returns rolled into the Board of Elections Tuesday night. "He has all the tools and the experience."

Reporter Jennifer Edwards contributed. E-mail

candrews@enquirer.com