Steve Chabot, left, and Steve Driehaus
Republican: Steve Chabot (Incumbent)
Democrat: Steve Driehaus (State Representative)
Steve Chabot barely survived the 2006 midterms, with only 52% of the vote. Not surprisingly, he is once again a top target for the Democrats, who have nominated state representative Steve Driehaus to replace him. Chabot has been a consistent conservative in the House, though he has not always voted the party line (he was the only Ohio Republican to vote against the 2003 Medicare package). The Ohio 1st District includes almost all of Cincinnati, and, most importantly for the Democrats, is more than 25% African-American. Driehaus, who is running on lower taxes on senior citizens and the middle class, as well as fiscal responsibility, is counting on increased African-American turnout on an Obama-led ballot.
2004 Presidential Vote: Bush 51%, Kerry 49%
-James Downie and Marti Covington/Washington