2008.11.06: November 6, 2008: Headlines: COS - Senegal: Congress: Politics: Dreihaus' win will help solidify the Democrats' majority in the House and ensure Cincinnati a voice in the party that controls Congress
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2008.11.05: November 5, 2008: Headlines: COS - Senegal: Congresss: Election2008: WLWT: Senegal RPCV Steve Driehaus wins Congressional Seat in Ohio :
2008.11.06: November 6, 2008: Headlines: COS - Senegal: Congress: Politics: Dreihaus' win will help solidify the Democrats' majority in the House and ensure Cincinnati a voice in the party that controls Congress
Dreihaus' win will help solidify the Democrats' majority in the House and ensure Cincinnati a voice in the party that controls Congress
Cincinnati has a new lawmaker going to Washington. "Hello, I am Steve Driehaus," a beaming, purple tie-wearing Rep.-elect Driehaus told a crowd of supporters Wednesday. "I am honored to be your next congressman." The Price Hill Democrat gathered with family members and city and county leaders at Mount Echo Park to announce his victory, after a long night of seesaw results that left the outcome uncertain until about 2:30 a.m. By then it was clear: Driehaus beat 14-year incumbent Republican Rep. Steve Chabot 52 percent to 48 percent. With all but two precincts counted, Driehaus had 9,097 more votes. Driehaus, 42, who served as the West Side's state representative for eight years, benefited from strong roots in the 1st Congressional District, where he grew up and attended Elder High School. Like Chabot, he is a fiscal conservative who opposes abortion. Driehaus may also have benefited from the wave of new Democratic voters energized by Obama's campaign. "But he wouldn't have won but for his own great qualifications," Democratic Chairman Tim Burke quickly added. "It was a combination." "Obama's candidacy was clearly important in mobilizing the Democratic base, but at the same time, we had to earn each and every one of those votes," Driehaus said. Senegal RPCV Steve Driehus was elected to Congress in 2008. Driehaus had served in the Ohio House of Representatives since 2001 and has served as Minority Whip since 2005.
Dreihaus' win will help solidify the Democrats' majority in the House and ensure Cincinnati a voice in the party that controls Congress
Driehaus' victory links city to majority Dems
By Malia Rulon and Sharon Coolidge • mrulon@enquirer.com and scoolidge@enquirer.com • November 6, 2008
Cincinnati has a new lawmaker going to Washington.
"Hello, I am Steve Driehaus," a beaming, purple tie-wearing Rep.-elect Driehaus told a crowd of supporters Wednesday. "I am honored to be your next congressman."
The Price Hill Democrat gathered with family members and city and county leaders at Mount Echo Park to announce his victory, after a long night of seesaw results that left the outcome uncertain until about 2:30 a.m.
By then it was clear: Driehaus beat 14-year incumbent Republican Rep. Steve Chabot 52 percent to 48 percent. With all but two precincts counted, Driehaus had 9,097 more votes.
"It went from 50 percent, the computers aren't working, to - boom - the results are in," said Driehaus, who had remained downtown after his victory party at Sully's restaurant broke up.
His win will help solidify the Democrats' majority in the House and ensure Cincinnati a voice in the party that controls Congress.
Chabot's defeat is a blow to House Republican Leader John Boehner of West Chester, who may face criticism for losing a district that borders his own.
Chabot, who rode the Republican revolution into Congress during the GOP takeover in 1994, was carried out on a Democratic wave that installed a new president and turned House and Senate seats across the country blue for the first time in years.
"Clearly, the Democrats were on the march this year and Barack Obama obviously brought in a lot of Democratic voters who hadn't voted in the past in my district," Chabot said.
He added that voter dissatisfaction with President Bush and the economic crisis likely added to his loss in a district targeted by Democrats every two years.
"The combination finally defeated me," he said.
On Wednesday, Driehaus worked the crowd at his victory news conference the way he had run his campaign - tirelessly. With the American flag waving in the breeze and the Cincinnati skyline as backdrop, Driehaus echoed Obama's theme of change.
"Last night showed we really do want change and we want to see it across the country and here in Cincinnati," Driehaus told the crowd.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune and state Rep. Tyrone Yates, among others, Driehaus promised to work with local officials "to make sure that they will have a representative in Congress that's looking out for the interest of Cincinnati, that is looking out for the interest of this region."
"Steve Driehaus understands our priorities well," Mallory said. "This is a huge election as it relates to life in Cincinnati."
Driehaus, 42, who served as the West Side's state representative for eight years, benefited from strong roots in the 1st Congressional District, where he grew up and attended Elder High School. Like Chabot, he is a fiscal conservative who opposes abortion.
Driehaus may also have benefited from the wave of new Democratic voters energized by Obama's campaign.
"But he wouldn't have won but for his own great qualifications," Democratic Chairman Tim Burke quickly added. "It was a combination."
"Obama's candidacy was clearly important in mobilizing the Democratic base, but at the same time, we had to earn each and every one of those votes," Driehaus said.
Chabot said he was unsure what his future would hold. He didn't rule out running again in the 1st District - or for another position.
"I'd like to serve the people again in some manner," he said. "I really do enjoy public service and trying to make a difference in people's lives."
Driehaus' mother, Clare Driehaus, stood back from the crowd at Wednesday's news conference. It was a long night, with two of her children awaiting election results. Denise Driehaus was elected to replace her brother in the legislature.
As she watched her son, the new congressman, she thought of her husband, Don Driehaus, who died last month.
"I feel his spirit here with us," she said.
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