Jean Schmidt wins a slugfest; Paul Hackett in a landslide

So declares the by-line of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050615/NEWS01/506150403

No matter who wins the Aug. 2 general election in the traditionally Republican district, the new member of Congress from the 2nd District will be a "first."

Schmidt would be the first woman elected to Congress from Southwest Ohio, and Democrat Paul Hackett would be the first Iraq war veteran to win a seat in Congress.

The article then states:

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the early results was the weak showing of Hamilton County Commissioner Pat DeWine, who finished fourth behind Schmidt, McEwen and state Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr.

Two months ago, as the race to replace Portman was taking shape, DeWine was considered the odds-on favorite, given his name recognition and the easy access to large amounts of campaign cash, thanks to his father, U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine.

Now how is that a surprise? You had two religious right's organizations advertising on the radio slamming his father, there have been a few Republicans who have also slammed him, so the fact that Pat came out and tried to say he didn't agree with his father on the compromise on the filibuster obviously didn't carry much weight. Guess next time you decide to use your father's connections Pat....you might wanna be sure you agree with him.

Bright side is? This election proves money doesn't guarantee success at least in the primaries....
the DeWine campaign raised nearly $1 million. In the last week of the campaign, nearly all of it was spent on TV advertisements attacking McEwen. (Which might have helped Jean Schmidt)