That has local community and elected leaders re-thinking how to get things done at the Statehouse, an archly political setting in which tax policy is shaped, regulations are set and millions of dollars are handed out for community projects,

"There's no question it's going to be a significant and greater challenge for the region because they don't have their own built-in insider to carry the load," said Stanley Aronoff, the Cincinnatian who ruled the state Senate for eight years between 1989-1996.

When Aronoff left to become a Statehouse lobbyist, his No. 2, Richard Finan of Evendale, assumed control as Senate president. Term limits sidelined Finan in 2002.

The string of local Senate presidents will end with Doug White, whose southern Ohio district includes Clermont County. He led the Senate for nearly two years, but leaves after this year, also because of term limits.

Aronoff said the stars were aligned to allow for three straight Senate leaders from the same region. In the age of eight-year term limits, he doubts it will happen again.

Finan, also a lobbyist, said the president of the Senate or speaker of the House can get a lot of things done.

"They have a lot of power, there's no two ways about it,'' he said. "It's hard to replace that with other people."

But that's exactly what the Cincinnati region's business, community and government leaders are looking for - other people.

"I would not say we're in the same shape we were before, but I wouldn't say we're in real tough shape," said Richard Weiland.

He is a lobbyist representing a variety of Cincinnati-area art and health organizations.

"It's going to be different, let's not kid ourselves."

No 'go-to person'

There's more to worry about for the region than the absence of a local Senate leader.

Three of the four Republican senators from the region will be newcomers to the chamber in 2005. The lone Democrat, Sen. Mark Mallory of Cincinnati, is running for mayor next year.

In the House, the area's highest-ranking representatives - Speaker Pro Tempore Gary Cates, R-West Chester Township, and Majority Floor Leader Patricia Clancy, R-Colerain Township - are moving to the Senate, where they'll wait their turn to move up.

Of the 14 majority Republicans representing the region's four-county area, none is expected to hold formal leadership positions or chair either of the powerful finance committees in 2005. The Republicans vote on these assignments Tuesday.

"There's not a go-to person as there has been in the past," said Doug Moormann, vice president of government affairs for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. "The result is, it's changed the way we have to do business."

For example, Moormann put together a regional list of community project priorities for the upcoming state capital budget. A common list allows the entire delegation to speak with one voice, he said.

For years, various Cincinnati-area groups counted more on their relationship with Aronoff or Finan to get those projects funded. The two often delivered, as Aronoff said: "There's no question this was a most-favored section of the state in the capital budget."

Among the prizes: Five riverfront parks were created at $5 million a pop; the University of Cincinnati campus was redeveloped; and millions were provided for a downtown arts center, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Fort Washington Way reconstruction and two professional sports stadiums.

"To the leader goes the spoils," said Aronoff.

Those spoils include the Aronoff Center for Design and Art at UC and the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincinnati.

Moormann and some lawmakers agree that decision-makers in the Cincinnati area became too accustomed to dealing with one legislative leader. Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Green Township, called it "one-stop shopping."

"I don't think it's going to be that way in the foreseeable future," he said. "I think folks in our region, and particularly the business folks, are going to find out what a great deal they had going."

Clancy said some local leaders don't even know whom to call now.

"People are stumbling around trying to find what the best avenue is to the people making the decisions in Columbus," she said. "They never really bothered to learn in the past. It's going to be problematic and it's going to take awhile to figure it out."

New leaders

Seitz is often mentioned when local leaders and Statehouse observers are asked about the most influential members of the delegation.

As one of the chamber's best public speakers and sharpest legal minds, Seitz commands attention and is considered the legislative standard-bearer for conservative causes, even if his blunt style at times rubs people the wrong way.

He hasn't been afraid to put himself out front on some major issues, both successful (Defense of Marriage Act, civil lawsuit reforms) and unsuccessful (slot machines at racetracks). And he's rarely without an opinion.

He's also without a leadership position, which surprises some Statehouse insiders. But that's likely to change next year, as he is expected to assume an unofficial role as chief of policy development for the Republican caucus.

"I'm very satisfied with where I'm likely to end up," Seitz said. "It's important for Hamilton County to have a meaningful seat at the table in the Republican caucus."

When it comes to the region's potential rising stars, many point to Rep. Tom Raga, R-Mason. He is not expected to hold a formal leadership spot, but will serve as a top lieutenant to Rep. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, the presumptive House speaker in 2005.

"Tom is certainly someone I have come to know, and more importantly, trust," Husted said. "Whatever you ask Tom to do, he's going to work to get it done."

Raga said he expects to work behind the scenes.

"It's kind of a dual focus on the policy issues and political sides of it," he said, noting that coming from such a GOP-dominated area, he is able to spend significant time helping other Republicans get elected.

Rep. Jim Raussen, R-Springdale, is also mentioned as a potential power player in the House. Current Sen. Louis Blessing, R-Colerain Township, will bring crucial experience when he shifts back to the House next year.

In the Senate, some expect to see the likeable Robert Schuler, R-Sycamore Township, start to make his mark soon.

Observers also see potential in Clancy, one of only two women in the Senate majority next year, to move up over time.

The region's Senate Republicans have already flexed some muscles.

This summer, the four voted as a group to back Sen. Bill Harris, R-Ashland, for Senate president. The support helped give Harris the thin majority he needed to take the top spot in 2005.Such support often comes with rewards, just as backing the wrong candidate can lead to consequences.

"I happen to think we have a very talented delegation," Seitz said. "We are perhaps unschooled and unskilled at power-play politics, but as you have seen throughout the state, those who are super-skilled at it sometimes end up falling on their sword."

The delegation is filling some big shoes, although Finan doubts the average resident in the Cincinnati region will notice the lack of a top leader next year.

"But the people who keep track of the legislature all the time - they'll notice," he said. "They'll notice that maybe it isn't there, whether it's legislation or money. It just doesn't get done."

Presumptive 2005 Statehouse leaders

Senate President

Name: Bill Harris

Age: 69

Resides: Ashland

Background: Served 23 years in the Marines, retiring in 1977 with the rank of major; founded Bill Harris Chevrolet; served in Ohio House from 1995-2000; was appointed to an open Senate seat in 2000; current chairman Senate Finance Committee; term-limited in 2010.

House Speaker

Name: Jon Husted

Age: 37

Resides: Kettering

Background: Served as vice president of business and economic development for the Dayton Chamber of Commerce; joined the Ohio House in 2001; serves as director of the Education and Public Improvement Foundation for the Dayton Chamber of Commerce.

Southwest Ohio delegation

Senate

District 4: Gary Cates (R), West Chester Township

District 7: Robert Schuler (R), Sycamore Township

District 8: Patricia Clancy (R), Colerain Township

District 9: Mark Mallory (D), Cincinnati

District 14: Tom Niehaus (R), New Richmond

House

District 28: Jim Raussen (R) Springdale

District 29: Louis Blessing (R), Colerain Township

District 30: William Seitz (R), Green Township

District 31: Steve Driehaus (D), Price Hill

District 32: Catherine Barrett (D), Cincinnati

District 33: Tyrone Yates (D), East Walnut Hills

District 34: Tom Brinkman Jr. (R), Mount Lookout

District 35: Michelle Schneider (R), Madeira

District 53: Shawn Webster (R), Hanover Township

District 54: Courtney Combs (R), Hamilton

District 55: Bill Coley (R), West Chester Township

District 66: Joseph Uecker (R), Miami Township (Clermont)

District 67: Tom Raga (R), Mason

District 88: Danny Bubp (R), West Union

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E-mail jsiegel@enquirer.com