By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hamilton County commissioner candidate Pat DeWine took a big step Tuesday in recovering the money and political goodwill he lost in his contested GOP primary in March.

Nearly 200 people munched on bagels and muffins at the first post-primary fund-raiser for DeWine, who defeated incumbent Commissioner John Dowlin with more than two-thirds of the Republican vote.

"We as a party have to come back together," county GOP Chairman Michael Barrett said.

Dowlin did not attend the Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel event, billed as a "unity breakfast." Several of Dowlin's strongest supporters did, however, including county Prosecutor Mike Allen, Sharonville Mayor Virgil Lovitt II and political consultant Al Tuchfarber.

"For those of you who have been living in a cave the past few months, we had a bit of a family fight," Allen told the crowd. "It's a good thing to get new ideas. It's a good thing to get new blood."

The $125-a-head fund-raiser will help DeWine make some headway on his $125,000 loan to his campaign. He spent a record $467,000 on television ads and other advertising in the messy campaign.

Hamilton County Democratic Party co-chairman Tim Burke said he does not yet have a candidate to run against DeWine.

The candidate of record is Erich Streckfuss of Westwood, but Burke said Streckfuss is merely holding a place on the November ballot.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com