A GUIDE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES: OHIO

OHIO

Population (1994): 11,102,000 (up 2.4% from 1990); 4.3% of U.S. total

Voting-age population: 8,313,000; 1994 turnout, 41%

Median age: 33.3 years

Median household income: $31,855 ($409 above U.S. median)

Unemployment: 5.0% (0.6% below U.S. average, March 1996)

Last presidential election: Clinton (D): 40% Bush (R): 38% Perot (I): 21%

Congressional delegation: 14 Republicans, seven Democrats

Though a redistricting in 1992, giving Ohio its smallest congressional contingent since 1870, was supposed to result in an even distribution of Republican and Democratic districts, it turned out quite differently. In a state that is a standard of American normalcy, such a disadvantage is especially disconcerting for the Democrats.

STEVE CHABOT (R) District 1 (Hamilton County--western Cincinnati and suburbs)

BORN: Jan. 22, 1953, Cincinnati EDUCATION: College of William and Mary, B.A., 1975; Northern KENTUCKY U, J.D., 1978 FAMILY: Wife, Donna Daly; two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Cincinnati city council, 1985-90; Hamilton County commissioner, 1990-95; U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: 105 West Fourth Street, Suite 1133, Cincinnati 45202. Tel.: 513-651-9644

The district was in Democrat hands for 20 years and Democrats think he's vulnerable, but Chabot is expected to keep his seat--thanks in part to Cincinnati's still robust economy.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia YES NAFTA NR Welfare YES Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: "My view is, while we need nutritious lunches in our schools, we need a whole lot less baloney in Washington."

MARK LONGABAUGH (D) District 1

BORN: Aug. 8, 1958, Cincinnati EDUCATION: Miami U (Ohio), B.A., 1980 FAMILY: Wife, Sharon; two children RELIGION: Presbyterian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Public-relations executive POLITICAL CAREER: Democratic nominee for Cincinnati City Council, 1995 ADDRESS: 1216 Central Park Way, Suite 200, Cincinnati 45210. Tel.: 513-241-1996

As a former congressional aide and presidential campaign director, Longabaugh has the right credentials. If he weathers criticism for accepting PAC and labor-union contributions, he should give Chabot a run for his money.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: "I have absolutely no apologies for taking contributions from working people, whether they're auto workers or pipe fitters."

THOMAS CHANDLER (D) District 2 (Southwest and eastern Cincinnati and suburbs)

BORN: April 14, 1954, Mariemont EDUCATION: U of Cincinnati, 1975-77 FAMILY: Single RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Medical-supply specialist POLITICAL CAREER: Democratic nominee for Clermont County Commission, 1976; Democratic nominee for Clermont County auditor, 1982; sought Democratic nomination for U.S. House, 1992; state Democratic Central Committee, 1992- ADDRESS: 5820 Berte Street, Cincinnati 45228. Tel.: 513-569-2275