Deb Pryce

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Pryce, Karen Stivers, Stivers

MARYSVILLE – U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Columbus), who barely survived the Ohio GOP’s 2006 bloodbath, said this year’s environment for Republicans is better than it was two years ago.

Pryce won re-election in 2006 by 1,055 votes, amid Gov. Bob Taft’s single-digit popularity, Tom Noe’s scandals, and U.S. Rep. Bob Ney’s (R-Heath) resignation and her friendship with U.S. Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), who was embroiled in a page-sex solicitation scandal that year. The absence of those men makes 2008 a better year to run in, she said.

"We had a very tough year, this is not that year,” Pryce said.  “I don’t think that the sins of some of my other colleagues rubbed off on me as much as some of the Democrats thought they would.”

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Stivers, Pryce, Karen Stivers

MARYSVILLE - Steve Stivers needs Union County to win his race for the 15th Congressional District.

Stivers (R-Columbus) said as much to 40 supporters who gathered at the 127-year-old courthouse to begin canvassing the district Saturday. Stivers' campaign is making a final push to turnout Republicans in reliably GOP Union and Madison counties, which are credited with saving U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Columbus) in 2006 when she lost Franklin County to Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Columbus), Stivers' opponent this year.

"I know that Union County sent Deborah Pryce back to Washington two years ago!" Stivers told supporters. "And we need to do it again. I want to make sure we keep this seat in Republican hands."

The financial bailout bill failed to pass during a vote in the U.S. House this afternoon, 228 to 205 voting to defeat it.

Most Ohio representatives voted against the bill, with seven of the 17 supporting the bill's passage.The seat of former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones is vacant.

Four Republicans voted in favor: U.S. Reps. John Boehner (R-West Chester), Deb Pryce (R-Columbus), Ralph Regula (R-Navarre), David Hobson (R-Springfield).

Three Democrats voted in favor: U.S. Rep. Zack Space (D-Dover), Tim Ryan (D-Niles) and Charlie Wilson (D-St. Clairsville).

Polls commissioned by Survey USA and Roll Call show Democratic U.S. House candidates Mary Jo Kilroy and John Boccieri leading in their efforts to capture GOP U.S. House seats.

Franklin Co. Commissioner Kilroy (D-Columbus) leads state Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Columbus) 47 to 42 percent. Independent Don Eckhart recieves 5 percent and libertarian Mark Noble recieves 3 percent. State Sen. John Boccieri (D-Alliance) leads state Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Jackson Twp.) by 49 to 41 percent.

In both races the Republican incumbents are well-liked, but that favorability isn't translating to support for their successors.

MINNEAPOLIS -- State Sen. Steve Stivers' (R-Columbus) hired a new communications director today, who is a veteran of the last campaign against Franklin Co. Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Columbus).

Rob Nicohols was U.S. Rep. Deb Pryce's (R-Columbus) presse secretary and knows the 15th Congressional District having served as spokesperson for Pryce's 2006 campaign against Kilroy

"Rob brings to our team a wealth of experience, understanding and involvement with this district -- he was born here, raised here and he's raising his own family here, I'm proud to have him on board," Stivers said in a statement.

Nichols hails from Madison County.

One of only two female Republican U.S. representatives in Ohio, Columbus' Deb Pryce said she couldn't me more happy with the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as John McCain's vice presidential nominee.

"This was a wonderful surprise to me and the whole country. I don't know her well but from what I just saw in her first speech I'm ecstatic," Pryce said.

Pryce had high marks for Palin's speech.

"What I liked about it was her poise and her confidence. I think that's where everybody was waiting if she was the next Dan Quayle and clearly after seeing that, she's not," Pryce said, adding that the Palin pick is a "game changer."

President Bush is coming to Ohio this afternoon to raise $570,000 for Republican Congressional efforts following an 11 a.m. signing of U.S. Rep. Deb Pryce's (R-Columbus) pediatric cancer bill in the Oval Office.

Pryce applauded the signing of the legislation she authored titled the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. The statement said the legislation authorizes $150 million over five years for pediatric cancer research and outreach, and reaffirms our nation's commitment to eradicating the number one cause of death by disease for children.

Pryce said that today is a cause for celebration and renewed hope for any child or family embroiled in the fight against pediatric cancer.

"While oncologists and researchers continue to break new ground in understanding and treating these diseases, there must be a robust funding partnership between government and the medical and research communities if we are to hasten our search for a cure," Pryce said. "At long last, we will be harnessing our nation's vast resources and expertise to put an end to a scourge that takes the lives of more than 2,300 children every year."

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien will not seek the Republican nomination for attorney general, the Columbus Dispatch reported today.

The news comes a day after former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Springfield) said he would not run for the office.