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Sunday, September 18, 2005

OH-07: Dem Challenger to Enter the Race?

Posted by DavidNYC

OH Jeremy, a diarist at MyDD, informs us that Sharen Neuhardt, an attorney and, as it happens, an alum of my law school, is close to entering the Congressional race in Ohio's 7th district. I don't know much about Neuhardt, but Jeremy seems to think she'll make a strong candidate.

I do know a little bit more about the 7th CD, however. It's a very OH-02-type district - Dems were swamped by 30 points in 2004 and 41 points in 2002. That is a pretty substantial improvement, though, and I think the races are directly comparable, considering both the incumbent and the challenger were the same both times.

Neuhardt is probably hoping to capture a little bit of the Paul Hackett magic, but Maj. Hackett had a few things going for him that she does not: He's an Iraq war vet, he got tons of attention because he ran in a special election, and his opponent was terribly weak.

But that's not to say that Neuhardt won't have some things in her favor as well. Her background suggests (as Jeremy notes) that she ought to be able to fundraise pretty well. Beyond that, the bone-deep corruption in the Ohio GOP - and the huge public dissatisfaction with Ohio's Republican elected officials - means that there will be a huge opportunity for any and all Democrats.

Everyone is familiar with Gov. Bob Taft's troubles - he's the least-popular governor in the nation, with an astounding seventeen percent approval rating. But Sen. Mike DeWine, who is up for re-election next year, is in pretty wretched shape as well: He is tied for ninety-seventh out of 100 senators in terms of popularity. Yikes! If Maj. Hackett runs against DeWine, then things could get really fired up for Dems statewide.

In any event, I look forward to learning more about Sharen Neuhardt, and I wish her the best of luck.

Posted at 11:19 PM in 2006 Elections - House, Ohio | Technorati

Comments

This is great news! I'm a big fan of Hackett and hopefully Dems can sweep Ohio and start to clean things up. I hope she's a good candidate.

Posted by: Mike C at September 19, 2005 01:59 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

So when are we gonna hear from Hackett? Schumer (DSCC head?) said flat-out today that "Hackett will challenge Dewine," so what's he waiting for?

Posted by: verasoie at September 19, 2005 03:37 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

David, do you have any contact info for Hackett you can post? An email address or anything where people can go to plead with him to enter the race? When Hackett wins and Santorum loses I'm going to be so very happy.

Posted by: Samson at September 19, 2005 03:44 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I do believe that Hackett's been hearing people loud and clear that they want him to run. My bet is that his people are working to get all of their ducks lined up in a row before they announce.

IMHO that best tactic to taking on people like Congressman is to hit them hard on the areas that they have direct responsibility. For Hobson that's Energy (Oil), Appropriations (Massive Deficits), Defense (Fraud, Abuse, Waste, Iraq), and his role in the House leadership (Tom Delay, bullying members).

We need to hold him accountable for the failures that happened on his watch. Go over every vote with a fine tooth come and tie them to all of the problems we are having now in this Country. Iraq isn't just George Bush's faulure, it's Dave Hobson 's failure. Our massive deficits aren'tjust George Bush's faulure, they're Dave Hobson 's failure. Our failure to rid ourselves of dependence on Middle East oil isn't just George Bush's faulure, it's Dave Hobson's failure. He needs to answer to all of these things, and if he dodged the questions than he needs to be fired simply becuase he doesn't have the courage or the strength to lead.

Posted by: Ohio 2nd at September 19, 2005 09:16 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Um, when the hell is Hackett gonna announce? I am tired of waiting. Paul, shit or get off the pot already!

Posted by: boyblue at September 19, 2005 05:24 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I forgot to mention that I'm a registered OH voter. Hackett might be hearing 'loud and clear' that people want him to run for Senate, but he hasn't heard it from me. DRAFT HACKETT.

Posted by: Samson at September 19, 2005 06:46 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Awesome to see another GULC grad making the run. Building on the momentum of Stephanie Herseth. David, what year were you?

cheers,
Jason
Georgetown Law, 1L

Posted by: theshelldog at September 19, 2005 07:34 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Yeah, I was duped into donating money to Stephanie Herseth's campaign. Then she sold out and voted in favor of the latest Bankruptcy Bill. When I wrote to her and demanded to know why she voted in favor of it, she sent me back all this crap about how it was going to protect consumers and help the economy. What crap. I'm happy she won, and I'm happy she's cute. But I'm not giving her another cent until my credit card debt is paid off (WHICH WILL BE NEVER).

Posted by: Samson at September 20, 2005 10:34 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I serve as Mayor of Springfield, Ohio in the 7th District in tha late 1980s, this district will be tough to compete in. If there is a democratic super majority next year, the 7th can be the one. Don't count on it! I served as the campigan manager to the ONLY candidate to beat David Hobson. Go Democrats!

Posted by: timayers at September 21, 2005 02:37 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment