A GUIDE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES: OHIO

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CLIFF ARNEBECK (D) District 15 (Central--western Columbus and suburbs)

BORN: Jan. 15, 1945, Washington EDUCATION: Wesleyan U, B.A., 1967; Harvard, J.D., 1970 FAMILY: Wife, Sibley Johnson; two children RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Sought Republican nomination for U.S House, 1990 ADDRESS: 1860 Cambridge Boulevard, Columbus 43212. Tel.: 614-481-0669

On this second try for the 15th District seat, Arneback emphasizes what he believes is the plague of special-interest influence in Congress. And he wants to initiate town meetings to put regular people back in touch with their legislators. So adamant is Arneback about his grass-roots politics that he refuses to take positions on issues unless he first polls the people (see below).

THE ISSUES

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

QUOTE OF NOTE: "Representatives have come to represent not the common values of their communities, but the selfish values of those who fund their campaigns."

DEBORAH PRYCE (R) District 15

BORN: July 29, 1951, Warren, Ohio EDUCATION: Ohio State, B.A., 1973; Capital U, J.D., 1976 FAMILY: Husband, Randy Walker; one child, one stepchild RELIGION: Presbyterian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Judge; lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Franklin County Municipal Court judge, 1985-92; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: 340 East Gay Street, Columbus 43215. Tel.: 614-228-1994

Pryce came to Congress in 1992 with the lowest winning vote margin--44%--of any newcomer that year. She made a name for herself as freshman "class president" and won re-election in 1994 with 71% of the vote. Pryce has impressed Newt Gingrich, who awarded her a seat on the powerful Rules Committee, but she is also known as a blue-dog Republican for her efforts to work with Democrats.

THE ISSUES

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

QUOTE OF NOTE: "For the Democrat, it is the American people who have too much money. For us Republicans, it is the government that has too much."

THOMAS BURKHART (D) District 16 (Northeast--Canton)

BORN: July 5, 1951; Mansfield, Ohio EDUCATION: Loudonville High School FAMILY: Wife, Janice; three children RELIGION: Wesleyan MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Shipper/receiver; Union representative POLITICAL CAREER: Democratic candidate, Ohio House, 1980; Democratic Candidate, U.S. House, 1990 ADDRESS: 2020 Cottage Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805. Tel.: 614-599-7976

Urged to run by local party officials, Burkhart appeals to the district's blue-collar constituents with his emphasis on the economy's impact on family values--what kind of family life can you have when both parents have to work?--and his belief that NAFTA exploits third-world workers while putting Americans out of work.

THE ISSUE

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